
Class 
Book- 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 




ISTORIGAL 

-Descriptive 

JAndjStATISTICALs . 



'J.M.Elstner i,Go. Publishers, Kansas Gity. 



fhin^ Qo,- 




Lies immediately west of the State line div 
KANSAS and MISSOURI, and contains v 
its limits 

THE KANSAS CITY STOCK YARDS 

THE ARMOUR, FOWLER, KINGAN, SNA 

and MORRIS & BUTTS Packing House 

and the UNION PACIFIC. MISSOURI PAC 

and C. R. I. & P. R'y Shops. 
Has the only ELEVATED ROAD outside ofj 



SAFE IHYESTMENTS 





Fidelity Investment Co. 




y 







Capital § 100,0 



James D.Husted. 

PRES'T. 



Thos.H. Rowland, secy& 




jtENDERSON 

CINCINNATI, --^ 





"KendeSIon 

e ,, oACMERT 













ISTORIGAL, 

'Descriptive 

e;iNDjSTATISTICAL . 



an' 




'^.Elstner & Go . Publishers , Kansas Gity. 



T7T¥ 



-TJ 



rAH 




CJ 

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PREFACE. 



SHE greatness of the subject renders the task of portraying the 
progress, the present status and the future prospecfts of Kansas 
City both a pleasant and perplexing one. The pleasure arises 
from the fact that there is so much to be honestly said in praise 
of the city, and the perplexity results from the difficulty of doing 
entire justice to the subject. 

While the greater part of the information conveyed by this volume 
is the result of original inquiry, the author takes this occasion to 
acknowledge indebtedness for many valuable fadls to Cape. W. H. Mil- 
ler's excellent historical sketch of Kansas City contained in the History 
of Jackson County ; to the reports of the same gentleman as Secretary of 
the Commercial Exchange ; to the reports of Col. Theo. S. Case as Sec- 
retary of the Merchants' and Manufacturers' Bureau, and to the press of 
the city. 

The compiler ventures to hope that the information contained in this 
book may be found of sufficient value to atone for any defedls it may 
have from a literary point of view. 

Kansas City, March, 1888. J. W. EEONARD. 



Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1888, by 

.T. M. ELSTNER& Co., 
in the o^ce of Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 



CONTENTS. 



9 

Founding of the City j5 

Years of Progress 21 

Commercial Bodies 26 

Transportation ^4 

Merchants and Traders ^^ 

Produdtive Industries . . , 52 

Banking and Finance ^5 

Real Estate 50 

The Building Record * ' ' g^ 

The Local Press ' ' " ' '_ ^o 

Municipal Fadls y^ 

The West Side 81 

Social Fa6ts 89 

Representative Houses 237 

Index 



Prominent Illustrations. 



The National Agricultural Exposition Building "'.'.". 18 

Kansas City Post Office 22 

Exchange Building 27 

Kansas City Union Depot . . 36 

Jundlion of Main and Delaware Streets ' ^^ 

View from Bluff at Thirteenth Street 54 

Nelson and Weller Building *'.'... 58 

New York Life Insurance Building . 61 

The Midland Hotel • • • • *'..... 64 

Kansas City Times Building • • • • ".'.'.*.'.. 66 

Kansas City Journal Building ^2 

Kansas City Pumping Works and Reservoir • • • • ; . 

View of Elevated Railway, Ninth and Mulberry Streets ]]'.'".". 80 

Grand Avenue and Ninth Street 84 

The Warder Grand Opera House * gg 

American National Bank ' ^^^ 

Commonwealth Building 



FOUNDING OF THE CITY. 



FRONTIER DAYS- AND PIONEER EVENTS.— RISE AND ADVANCE 

OF KANSAS CITY. 



THERE is nothing in the aspect of the Kansas City ot to-day to recall 
antiquity or invite retrospeCl. All here is modern and progressive, 
and not a trace remains to indicate the fact of history that the busy 
streets, now vivified with commerce and industry and thoroughly repre- 
sentative of American push and vim, but recently formed an unconsidered 
portion of a vast and unbroken solitude. Yet all of this advanced devel- 
opment is'jbut the work ot a few years, and the city, as well as the fertile 
regions of the Great West of which it is the metropolis, has been 
evolved, within the memory of living men, from obscurity and the 
wilderness. 

Prior to the advent of the Caucasian races to this country, and even 
for centuries before European civilization knew that such a continent as 
America existed, races lived, contended and died out, to be replaced by 
their conquerors in all the regions now populated by thrifty communities 
and embracing the valleys of the Mississippi and the Missouri. But the 
connedlion of these primitive and nomadic tribes with present history is 
remote, and the interesting details which tradition has transmitted or 
science discovered in regard to these peoples, their personality, their pur- 
suits and their extincftion or migration, belong rather to the domain of 
ethnological research than to the province of the modern historiographer. 

FRENCH AND SPANISH RULE. 

Politically, the dominion over the section now embracing Kansas 
City within its limits fell first, after the arrival of the white races, into 
the hands of Spain, and then into those of France, but neither of these* 
powers made any important use of the territorj^ they had acquired, and 
few of the subjects either of the Spanish or French monarchs made thei: 

9 



Thk Industries op Kansas City. 



appearance in this part of the country prior to the purchase of I^ousiana, 
of which it formed a part, under the administration of President Jeffer- 
son. An occasional Jesuit priest may have ventured here in his zeal for 
the propaganda of the religion of the cross, and a few adventurous trap- 
pers and fur traders possibly braved the perils of the hostile wilderness, 
but there was nothing in the shape of permanent settlement, and no 
attempt to utilize .the vast natural resources of, or introduce civilized life 
into, this region, which was then regarded as a hopeless and irreclaimable 
wilderness. 

Missouri, as an integral part of the French Province of lyouisiana, 
had been partially settled by the followers of Pierre L/aclede lyiguest, 
who, with August Chouteau, his companion, and about thirty men, 
founded St. Louis in February, 1764; and although, six years later, the 
country was taken into formal possession by Spain, to which it had been 
ceded by Louis XV., the settlement at St. Louis and its vicinity remained 
French in population and everj^ essential feature up to the time of its 
recession to France in 1803, and the purchase of the entire Province of 
Louisiana by the United States later in the same year. Capt. Amos 
Sioddard took possession of St. Louis and Missouri March 10, 1804, on 
behalf of the United States, and soon after the territory thus acquired 
began to receive accessions to its population. The most western settle- 
ment prior to that time was the French one of Cote Sans Desseiu, now 
called Bakersville, on the Missouri River, in Callaway County, which was 
founded in 180 1. 

EARLY settlement. 

Missouri was organized as a Territory in Jul}', 1812, and admitted as 
a State by the Missouri Compromise bill, approved March 6, 1820, the 
State Constitution being adopted July 19, following. The territory em- 
braced in Jackson County had been successively a part of St. Louis, 
Howard and Cooper counties, under the Territorial government. In 
November, 1820, the county of Lillard was established, and its name was 
changed to Lafa^^ette County, February 16, 1825. By an act approved 
December 15, 1826, the county of Jackson was organized, and Kaw 
Township was established in May of the following 5'ear. 

Prior to this date there had been no permanent settlement in the 
township. Col. Daniel Morgan Boone, son of the famous Daniel Boone, 
was probably the first white man who had visited the territory' embraced 
within the limits of the township, he having trapped beavers here for 
several seasons prior to 1800. In 1821 a settlement was made bj^ French 
.fur traders under the leadership of Francois Choiiteau, of the distin- 
guished pioneer family of St. Louis, locating about three miles below 
what is now Kansas Citj^, in the bottoms opposite Randolph Bluff. The 



Thk Industries of Kansas City. . u 

colony represented the interests of the American Fur Company, in which 
the Chouteaus were largely interested, and the thirt}" men who came with 
M. Chouteau were voyageurs in the service of the company. The loca- 
tion was afterwards removed to Kansas Cit5^ and this was made a trading 
post for the fur trade of the trans-Missouri region, and formed the nucleus 
of a French settlement which existed and enjoyed a considerable amount 
of prosperity for about twenty-five 5'ears. 

The Rocky Mountain Fur Company, a rival organization to the 
American Fur Companj^ also did a considerable amount of business with 
the Indians in this region, and made the Kawsmouth settlement their 
point of debarkation. In 1829 an act was passed for the removal of the 
Indians to locations further west, and this removal stimulated settlement, 
and in 1833 Westport was founded and enjoyed a steady increase in popu- 
lation and importance. 

THE OVERLAND TRADE. 

The existence of old settled countries to the west, embraced in the 
territory belonging to Mexico, made a market for many commodities 
which American enterprise could not afford to neglecft. Under the 
monarchical rule of Spain a restricftive policy, which forbade commerce 
not san(5lioned by the royal government, formed a barrier to mercantile 
enterprise in this diredlion for many j^ears, but the vidlories of Iturbide 
leading to the establishment of the republic of Mexico in 1822, this em- 
bago was removed, and at once the attention of traders was attra(5led to 
the advantages to be derived from pushing an overland trade with Santa 
Fe and the other towns upon and bej'ond the Rio Bravo. Contemporary 
with the opening of this trade began a considerable traffic by steamboats 
on the Missouri River, and locations upon and near the river were natur- 
ally chosen as the entrepots of this great overland trafiic. Blue Mills, 
Fort Osage and Independence all had a large share of this business, 
and the latter, as the larger place, became the principal headquarters for 
outfitting the expeditions to Santa Fe and be3^ond, Blue^ Mills, six miles 
below, being the landing point for steamboats. Westport soon became a 
rival of Independence, and gained quite a share of the business, although 
the county seat retained the largest portion of it. For the first few years 
of the trade pack animals were used, but after three of four years' trial 
this mode of conveyance was found inadequate, and w^agons w^ere adopted. 
It was the desire of the Santa Fe traders and the Indian traders to secure 
a better landing than those at Blue Mills or Wayne City that led to the 
founding of Kansas City. The settlement of the Platte purchase, em- 
bracing a large territory north of the Missouri River, also aided the de- 
velopment of the trade of this se(5lion. Gabriel Prudhomme had settled 
upon the site of Kansas City, and upon it, at a point now embracing the 



12 • The Industries op Kansas City. 

bank of the river from Grand avenue to Delaware street, was a natural 
rock landing, which was by general consent admitted to be the most 
eligible landing place on the river. The death of Gabriel Prudhomme 
led to court proceedings and the subsequent sale of the land, which was 
purchased by a company composed of William I^. Sublett, Moses G 
Wilson, John C. McCoy, Wilham Gillis, Fry P. McGee, Abraham Fonda," 
William M. Chick, Oliver Caldwell, George W. Tate, Jacob Ragan, 
William Collins, James Smart, Sanluel C. Owens and Russell Hicks. The 
sum paid for the tract was $4,220, and after the sale was consummated 
the town was at once surveyed and laid off into lots, the town being 
called Kansas. Some settlements were made, but litigation which fol- 
lowed retarded growth until all questions were settled and the legality of 
the title confirmed in 1846. The first efforts in the way of trade at the 
place were principally confined to barter with the Indians. In 1843 the 
decree of Santa Anna, President of Mexico, closing the ports of Northern 
Mexico against trade with the United States, led to an almost total sup- 
pression of that traffic, although the decree was rescinded in 1844. The 
town of Kansas had been important as a landing place for the Mexican 
traders, and several merchants of Westport removed to the town and 
established warehouses here in the years from 1840 to 1843. 

EARLY business VENTURES. 

In 1844 Kansas City made its first venture in the jobbing trade. Mr. 
H. M. Northrup, now the President of the Northrup Banking Company, 
in that 3'ear bought a, large stock of goods, with which he established a 
business with traders within a radius of two hundred miles, and his ven- 
ture was so successful that it proved an important facftor in building up 
the town. In 1843, and again in July, 1844, heavy floods visited the new 
settlement, and in the latter year the water rose higher than at any other 
period of its recorded hi.story, and a number of houses in the bottoms 
were swept away. 

In 1845 Mr. James H. McGee, (who, by the way, was the first Amer- 
ican settler of the place, having located here in 1828), made brick on his 
farm south of the then town, and built the first brick house ever put up 
in what is now Kansas City. In the same -year the Mexican trade was 
resumed, and the many advantages the town offered as a place for outfit- 
ting expeditions made it the headquarters of this trade, and gave to it an 
importance far greater than it had before enjoyed. 

THE FIRST BOOM. 

In 1846, the litigation over the title having been settled, the Town 
Company inaugurated sales of town lots, and on April 30th of that }ear 



Thb Industries of Kansas City. 13 



127 lots and two entire blocks were disposed of at public sale, these lots 
bringing $8,643.62. The town experienced its first boom. The large 
Indian trade it had before enjoyed was supplemented by the Santa Fe 
trade ; and the preparations for the Mexican war gave an impetus to 
business in all the border towns. 

Although Kansas City had thrived, it had not yet reached to the 
importance enjoyed by Independence and Westport, and when the Cali- 
fornia gold excitement broke out in i849]the two latter towns profited 
more by it than did Kansas City. Yet the latter continued to grow, and 
in 1850 the town had about 750 inhabitants. In 1849 cholera visited the 
town and was fatal to the French and Belgian residents, and the next 
year another cholera scare, which did no damage here, caused an exodus 
of many settlers, but they all returned,. In 1850, however, the cholera 
appeared with greater^violence, and the] number of those who died, and 
the still larger one of those who deserted the town in consequence of the 
panic which ensued, reduced the population to about 300, and another 
visitation in 1852 also tended to retard the growth of the town. 

INCORPORATING THE CITY. 

February 22, 1853, a charter was procured for a city government 
which was organized in the spring following. W. S. Gregory was elected 
Mayor, but he served only a short time, and Dr. Johnson Lykins w^as 
eledled to succeed him, and was eledled for another term in the spring of 
1854. Confidence was restored in these years by the failure of the 
cholera to reappear, and the steady increase in the Santa Fe trade 
brought reviving prosperity. 

The first newspaper, the Public Ledger, made its appearance in 1852, 
but it lived only a short time. The necessity of a local journal was felt 
by the people, and a company was organized in 1854 with the consequence 
that the Kansas City Enterprise made its first appearance in October. 
In 1857 the name was changed to the Journal of Commerce, and later to 
the Journal, which it still retains, the daily issue having been first pub- 
lished June 15, 1858. 

THE KANSAS-NEBRASKA BILLS. 

In the year 1853 began the controversy as to the bills for erecting 
Kansas and Nebraska into Territories, the struggle being upon the 
admission or prohibition of slavery in the proposed Territories. The 
Douglas bill for the admission of Kansas repealed the Missouri Compro- 
mise in so far as it related to Kansas, and provided that the people of the 
Territory should be left "perfectly free to form and regulate their 
domestic institutions in their own way." The advocates of slavery on 



14 The Industries of Kansas City. 

the one hand and the AboHtionists on the other determined that the new- 
population of the Territory should be in harmony with their views, and 
the Massachusetts Emigrant Aid Society and the New England Emigrant 
Aid Society were organized in the East for the purpose of filling Kansas 
with Anti-Slavery voters, while secret societies were formed in the Slave 
States to head off that movement. The large numbers of people thus 
brought to Kansas had a stimulating effedl upon the population ol 
Kansas Cit}^ although the business of the place was injured by the 
border troubles of those three years, which for a time paralyzed the 
Mexican trade, and made the adjoining country in Kansas the theatre of 
bloody strife. With the quieting of these troubles came returning 
prosperity and increase of business to Kansas City, and great improve- 
ments were made, while the population of the city grew largely so that in 
i860 there were 4,418 people in the city, to which McGee's addition had 
been annexed. 

GROWING INDUSTRIES. 

The real estate firm of Coates & Hood started a bank in 1856 which 
it carried on for several years, and in 1857 the firm of Northrup & Co. 
established itself in the banking business, continuing it until the firm was 
succeeded in 1864 by J. Q. Watkins & Co. A jobbing dry goods house 
was started in 1856, and the first telegraph line connecting Kansas City 
with the East was completed in December, 1857. The facilities of the city 
for reaching its trade territory were greatly increased by the establish- 
ment of stage lines to Fort Scott, Topeka, Leavenworth and other points. 
The facilities for the receipt of goods were improved upon the completion 
of the Missouri Pacific to Jefferson City and the establishment of a line 
of steamboats which brought the mails and freights to Kansas City. 

The number of additions to the original plat of the town, which had 
been made in 1857, led to the procurement of a new charter, extending 
the city limits, and in the following year the legislature still further 
enlarged the city. It has always been chara(5leristic of the people of 
Kansas City that they have maintained an abiding faith in her future and 
an exalted opinion of her advantages ; and during the five years preced- 
ing the outbreak of the War of the Rebellion a succession of efforts to 
secure railroads were made, all of which have since been built. 

THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 

The clouds which gathered in the fall of i860 cast a deep shadow 
over Kansas City. Its population was divided in opinion as to the merits 
of the political conflidl then being fought out, and the animosities which 
had been engendered during the border troubles in regard to slaver)^ or 



The Industries of Kansas City. 



freedom in Kansas were much intensified. Partisan strife discouraged 
business adlivity, and although the Unionists triumphed in the election 
of R. T. Van Horn as Mayor, the Legislature had created a metropolitan 
police system and the Mayor was unable to control the police or preserve 
order; and at his request United States troops were sent to the city. 
Shortly after this there were several engagements between Unionists and 
Secessionists in the vicinity, and this state of affairs prevented much 
progress. Military protection of the city retained for it the control of 
the Santa Fe trade, which, however, was much reduced in proportions by 
the existence of the war. 

The subsidence of trouble between those of opposing political views 
led to a revival, in 1S63, of adlivity in the railroad projedls which had 
been interrupted by the strife, and an encouraging amount of work was 
done in that year and the next. In 1864, however, the advance of the 
Confederate forces under Gen. Sterling Price led to an uprising of 
secessionists, and a number of engagements occurred in Jackson county, 
Generals Curtis and Rosecrans, however, offered such resistance to Price 
that he was turned southward, and with the exception of some skirmishes 
with bushwhackers there was no more war in the vicinity. Much 
damage had, however, been done to the railroads, and with the exception 
of the Union Pacific, all work w^as stopped for a year. 

The net result of the disturbed state of public opinion in Kansas 
City during the war period was a loss in population and business. The 
comparative quiet reigning in Ueavenworth had tended to divert to that 
city much of the trade from Southern Kansas, New Mexico and Colorado 
which would have otherwise been concentrated here, and the number of 
inhabitants of the city had fallen off to between 3,000 and 4,000 people. 
The close of the war was marked by earnest efforts on the part of the 
press and leading citizens to repair the damage that had been done to the 
city and to stimulate enterprises looking to the utilization of its natural 
advantages ; and these endeavors opened a new era in which progress has 
been the pervading feature and in which the Kansas City of to-day, 
eclipsing all previous records of urban development, has been built up to 
its recognized place as the Gate City of the Great West. 



YEARS OF PROGRESS 



THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF KANSAS CITY SINCE 
THE CLOSE OF THE WAR. 



THE war ended, the railroad projecfts which had languished during the 
period of strife were revived. It was realized by the leading business 
men of the city that natural advantages are not of themselves 
sufficient to build up a town to prosperity, but that these must be sup- 
plemented b)^ energy and enterprise in their utilization. Unity of adlion 
secured for the railroad enterprises of the city the aid .of franchises and 
valuable concessions, and the Missouri Pacific was completed and opened 
for business in September, 1866. 

In the following year statistics compiled by order of the city council 
showed that the population was 15,064; that 768 buildings had been 
ereAed during 1866 at a total cost of $2,166,500, and that the total trade 
of that year, in all lines, amounted in value to $33,006,827. The railroads 
then in operation were the Missouri Pacific, the Union Pacific, Eastern 
Division, and the Missouri River Railroad, connecfting the cit}- with 
Leavenworth, and which was afterward absorbed into the Missouri Pacific 
system. Railroad building progressed after that more rapidl}', and in 
1869 there were seven railroads in operation. The Board of Trade was 
organized in that year and gave valuable aid to the many important 
improvements inaugurated. The growth of the city was phenomenal, 
and its population by the census of 1870 amounted to 32,286 souls, an 
increase in ten years of 27,872, the largest proportion of increase ever 
shown by the census returns in any city. 

PUBLIC ENTERPRISES. 

A number of street railroads were built in 1870 and the 3'ears follow- 
ing, and during the same period the educational system which had been 
established in 1866 was put upon a solid basis. In 1871 the agitation of 
the press for the establishment of an annual Industrial Exposition led to 
the organization of a company for that purpose, and the buildings were 

eredled and the first exposition was held in October of that 5'ear. 

16 



The Industries of Kansas City. 19 

The progress of the city continued until 1S73, when the panic, which 
disturbed the entire countr>^ caused a depression in Kansas City which 
led to a cessation of improvemen.ts and a decrease in population. The 
years 1874 and 1875 saw no improvement, and it was not until the autumn 
of 1876 that the tide of population began to again flow in the direction 
of Kansas City, and the houses which had been deserted to find occupants. 

The years from 1870 to 1877 were those in which the cattle business 
of Kansas City was built up, and the packing business, which is now so 
important a branch of industry in this city, was placed upon a firm basis. 
The grain trade was also largely developed in those years, the first 
elevator having been built in 1871; and two others were built in the 
spring of 1874. 

By the year 1877 Kansas City had fairly recovered from the efifedls ot 
the panic of 1873 and had resumed her progressive attitude. New 
railroad enterprises were pushed and projedts looking to the material 
advancement of the city met with encouragement. This prosperity was 
somwhat retarded, however, by the bank failures of the following year. 
In 1880 the city, in spite of the depressions which had occurred during 
that period, showed great accessions to her population, which had increased 
from 32,286 in 1870 to 55,813 by the census of 1880. 

Since that time an era of improvement has set in which eclipses all 
previous records in regard to the growth of cities. Not even Chicago, that 
young giant of the Northwestern lake region, ever experienced a growth 
to be compared with what has been accomplished in Kansas City in the 
past eight years. The population has more than trebled, and the means 
and instrumentalities for the promotion of the material interests of the 
city are multiplying day by day. 

ELEMENTS OF PROSPERITY. 

The causes contributing to these gratifying results are many, and of 
a permanent characfler. The growth of this city has been no greater than 
that of the vast and fertile region of which it is the metropolis. By steps 
of natural progression one cause of prosperity has created others : the 
populating of the agricultural region and the development of its natural 
resources stimulated urban growth and the building up of the city 
to the position of leadership as a base of supplies. This commercial 
supremacy attra(5ted manufacftures, and the vast* productive industries 
centered here are proving a magnet which is inducing a still further 
augmentation of the population of the city. For several years this 
growth has been going on, and year after 3-ear those who have been 
predidling the collapse of Kansas City's boom have been confronted 
with figures which show that the prosperity which they predicted would 
soon close with a crash holds on and gathers increased strength and 
solidity. 



20 The Industries of Kansas City. 

The capital seeking investment in Kansas Cit}" is not the money of 
reckless or deluded speculators, but is contributed b}^ conservative and 
far-seeing men who have carefull}" investigated the situation and have 
convinced themselves of the fadl that greater returns can be realized 
from judicious investments here than from an}^ other source of safe 
revenue. The advance in the prices of Kansas Cit}" realty is not more 
marked than the increase in the number and diversification of her 
industries, the improvement of her facilities for transacting business in 
all lines, or the speed with which she is surrounding herself with agencies 
for promoting the comfort, the health and the convenience of her citizens- 

EVIDENCES OF PERMANENT GROWTH. 

Bver}^ improvement undertaken in Kansas City is metropolitan in its 
charadler. The business blocks ereCled are, many of them, palatial 
stru(5lures, which would be considered valuable accessions to the Board of 
Trade distri(5l of Chicago or the business center of New York. Man}^ ot 
these will be noted in a later portion of this work, and some of them are 
shown in its illustrations. The cable railways and the elevated road 
afford means of urban and suburban transit surpassed iDy none and 
equaled by few of the great and populous cities of the Union. All these 
things evidence the appreciation by the citizens of Kansas Cit}^ and the 
capitalists who have invested in it of the permanency of its prosperity 
and their faith in its future growth. 

The phenomenal rapidity of the development of Kansas City is due 
to no merely fanciful causes, but has resulted in a natural way from her 
matchless position as the center of a vast territory, which is utilizing its 
material resources at a rapid rate, and the concentration at this point of 
radiating transportation systems,1which pour into the lap of her com- 
merce the products of the farms of Western Missouri, of Kansas and 
Colorado, and make direcfth^ tributary to her trade the most prolific agri- 
cultural region of the West. The increase in the packing industry, the 
accession of large and important manufacfturing industries and the con- 
stant expansion of the territory covered b}^ our jobbers and wholesalers 
all testify to the fa6t that the point of location for the metropolis of the 
Southwest has been found here in Kansas City. It was inevitable that 
some commercial and manufauring cendtter of this vast and fertile region 
would at some time spring into being, and the concentration in this city 
of the larger enterprises has settled the question of locality and rendered 
certain the prospedl that at no distant day Kansas City will reach to 
proportions the magnitude of which will make the growth of which she 
now fairly boasts seem small by comparison. 



COMMERCIAL BODIES 



ASSOCIATIONS OF MERCHANTS AND MANUFACTURERS IN AID 
OF BUSINESS INTERESTS. 



IN every large commercial center, when the volume of its business 
becomes of sufficient proportions to create competition, or to call for 
the establishment of -general rules to govern the commercial condu(5l 
of merchants and manufadlurers in their dealings with each other, the 
trade or the public, associations for mutual benefit and protection become 
an imperative necessity and a requisite to advancement. These commer- 
cial bodies perform an important part in securing uniformity of usage 
and propriet)' of business condudl, and when properly condudted, 
contribute in no small degree to the increase of trade and to the general 
promotion of the material interests of the city in which they are located. 
The business men of Kansas City have not failed to see the advantages 
of organizations of this charadler, and a number of prominent associa- 
tions directly conne(5led with the industries of produdtion or distribution 
have been organized and now exist in the city. The history of such 
organizations in Kansas City is not unlike that of similar combinations 
elsewhere, the earl}- attempts to inaugurate them having proved only 
temporarily successful, and a number of organizations having existed 
prior to these which now, by their strength, give assurance of permanent 
usefulness. 

Commercial Exchange. — A body known as the Board of Trade 
existed as early as 1S69, and in its day did a large amount of valuable work 
in aiding the cit)^ in the procurement of greater transportation facilities 
and in other material ways, but this body had but few of the features of 
the Exchange, and after a short existence, while the organization was 
kept up, it was not very acftive. In 1870 a Produce Exchange was 
organized for the purpose of maintaining a medium for the sale of 
country produce, but this, like the Board of Trade, soon became inadtive. 



The Industries of Kansas City. 



In 1872 the Board of Trade and the Produce Exchange united, and the new 
organization was maintained until 1876, during which time it aided in 
securing the extension of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad to 
Kansas City, and other important enterprises. In 1873 Mr. W. H. Miller 
was chosen Secretary of the organization, an office which he has filled ever 




EXCHANGE BUILDING. 



ever since with skill and efficiency. In 1876 the growing importance of 
the grain market led those engaged in the grain business to desire a 
reorganization of the Board, so as to better subserve the ends of trade, 
and as a result a fund was secured for the ereclion of the Exchange 
Building at the corner ot Fifth and Delaware streets, and the methods of 
trading were greatly improved. The grain market was moved to this 



The Industries of Kansas City. 23 

building in 1877, and has since occupied it, but is soon to remove into the 
new and elegant strudlure eredted for its use at the corner of Eighth and 
Wyandotte streets, running through to Central street. The ownership 
of the building is vested in the Exchange Building Association, composed 
of members of the Board of Trade, who accepted stock in the new 
organization in lieu of their membership in the Board of Trade. In the 
reorganization the Commercial Exchange was divided into two depart- 
ments, one of which is the Board of Trade, and the other the Board of 
Transportation, both of which are subjedl to the control of the Exchange 
Building Association, but each enjoying an exclusive jurisdi(5lion in its 
own affairs. The Commercial Exchange, as it is now legally designated, 
has a large membership, and is equipped with all the aids to the trans- 
adlion of business usually enjoyed by bodies of that chara(5ler in the 
larger cities of the country. It is an adlive body and contributes in an 
important degree to the growth and prosperity of commerce in Kansas 
Cit}^ The ofl&cers of the Exchange for the 3'ear 1887-S are Edward H. 
Allen, President; H. M. Holden, First Vice President; H. M. Kirkpatrick, 
Second Vice President; W. H. Miller, Secretary; W. H. Winants, 
Treasurer. Board of Directors : Edward H. Allen, H. M. Kirkpatrick, 
J. P. Campbell, A. R. French, L. E. Irwin, W. H. Winants, H. M. Holden, 
J. S. Chick, J. K. Davidson, E. D. Fisher, H. J. Eatshaw, Thomas A. 
Wright and Ed. H. Webster. In addition to these officers a number of 
committees are appointed', having charge of the various subjedls coming 
within the jurisdidlion and purposes of the Exchange. 

Merchants' and Manufacturers' Bureau.— The rapid growth 
of Kansas City has attracfted a large number of business enterprises, and 
a disposition has been shown upon the part of the capitalists of 
Eastern and other cities to make investments in various kinds of business 
in this city. It was to encourage this feeling of confidence, and to give 
intelligent direcftion to the progress of the city, that the Merchants' and 
Manufadlurers' Bureau was organized, November 27th, 1886, beginning 
operations a few weeks later. The objedls of the Bureau are to aid with 
information all persons interested in Kansas City, to answer communica- 
tions relating to the advantages and facilities of the cit}' and to aid in every 
intelligent way in improving the opportunities of the city for growth in 
every useful direcflion. The wisdom of the members in forming this 
bureau has been evidenced bj- results, the organization having proven of 
great importance in accomplishing the ends of the association. It has 
prepared and distributed man}^ thousands of pamphlets, circulars, bulle- 
tins and maps, principally throughout the Eastern and Middle States, has 
received and attended to a large number of written and personal applica- 
tions for information, assistance, co-operation, etc., from merchants and 
manufadlurers in other localities, and has formed a channel of communi- 



24 The Industries op Kansas City. 

cation between those who visit the city for business purposes and real 
estate owners, capitalists, other manufadturers, etc. Through the agency 
of this bureau a large number of manufadturing enterprises, many ot 
them of heavy capital and not a few of them engaged in lines which 
before had no representatives in the city, have been induced to -come here 
and locate, thus adding by their trade and producfts millions of dollars to 
the aggregate of the city's business, and giving profitable and steady 
employment to a large number of working people. The membership 
of the Bureau is composed of a large number of the leading merchants, 
manufadturers and capitalists of the cit}^ and the officers of the organiza- 
tion now are: E. ly. Martin, President; Theo. S. Case, First Vice 
President; A. M. Sadler, Second Vice President; George W. Warder, 
Third Vice President; Matt H. Crawford, Secretary; and A. A. Whipple, 
Treasurer. 

Real Estate and Stock Exchange. — The great activity in the 
real estate business in Kansas City has attracted here a large number of 
business men, who have engaged either on their own account or as 
agents in the transadtion of real estate business. The volume of this busi- 
ness in the city being so large, there were, of course, attrac1:ed among others 
some persons who did business in an irregular way, and upon methods 
which were calculated to bring reproach upon the pursuit. In order to 
regulate the business and to inaugurate and maintain uniform rules of 
dealing, the Real Estate and Stock Exchange was organized and incorpo- 
rated May 17, 1886. The membership of the Exchange is large and 
its management efficient, and since its organization it has steadily 
endeavored to fairlj- carry out the objecfts for which it was organized, and 
which are declared by its charter to be: " To secure uniform rates of 
brokerage in real estate transactions ; to protect the business from the 
encroachments of unlicensed and unauthorized persons who profess to 
to adl as real estate brokers ; to maintain principles of honesty and fair 
dealing in the operations of licensed real estate brokers ; to stimulate 
greater adlivity in real estate, by joint effort in efife(5ting sales and 
transactions, rather than by scattered, individual work ; to discourage and 
prevent the unfair division of the broker's commissions by persons not in 
the business, who have no real claim upon him for a share of his living ; 
to establish and maintain the calling of the real estate broker in a position 
of dignity and responsibility in the community, to initiate measures to 
place it upon a foundation of influence and permanence, and to provide 
for the erecftion of a suitable building for a real estate exchange ; and to 
devise, encourage and foster schemes of public improvement and benefit 
to the city at large." The present officers of the Exchange are Theodore 
S. Case, President; E. M. Wright, Vice President; W. V. Eippincott, Jr., 
Secretary; A. A. Whipple, Treasurer; S. E. Swanson, Assistant Secretary. 



Thk Industries op Kansas City. 25 

Directors: Theodore S. Case, R. H. Cannon, E. H. Phelps, C. W. 
Whitehead, Bernard Donnelh", W. V. Lippincott, Jr., E. E. Browne, A. 
A. Whipple, E. M. Wright, George F. Winter, George Law, W. E. 
Winner and M. F. Simmons. 

The Fruit and Produce Exchange.— Another association of 
importance in connecftion with the business interests of Kansas City is 
The Fruit and Produce Exchange, which was organized in 1886. The 
objecfts of the association are declared by the constitution of the Ex- 
change to be "to secure more intimate relations between members of the 
Exchange; to increase their means of intercourse; to define, by mutual 
agreement, and aid in enforcing, just and equitable rules and principles 
which should govern their conduct in business affairs ; to obtain and im- 
part information relating to their interests, and in general to secure the 
advantages which experience has shown to result from organized, syste- 
matic effort for the mutual benefit of related interests." These objects 
have been well subserved by the organization, which has proven an im- 
portant medium for promoting favorable relations between the members^ 
and of the members with their patrons. The membership comprises over 
a hundred of the leading fruit and produce commission men of the city, 
and the ofiicers for the year ending May, 1888, are as follows: President, 
Geo. B. Cloon; First Vice-President, J. E. Vanneman; Second Vice-Pres- 
ident, Frank O. Howard; Secretary, Albion P. Pease; Treasurer, B. F. 
Coombs. Diredlors: J. P. Loomas, I. D. Clapp, Will K. Reeme, H. E. 
Nicol, B. M. Tanner, and F. H. Goss. 

Builders' and Traders' Exchange.— The large amount of build- 
ing continually going on in Kansas City has made it an important center 
of industry in the building trade and kindred lines, and in order to pro- 
mote their interests and to secure uniformity of adtion, the Builders' and 
Traders' Exchange was organized. It has proven an efficient medium for 
promoting the interests of the trade, and has grown steadily' in member- 
ship and influence. The ofiices of the Exchange are located at 521 Del- 
aware street, and its officers are as follows: B. F. Swain, President; 
H. H. Stukenberg, Vice-President ; C. W. Fairman, Second Vice Presi- 
dent; C. E. McDonald, Secretary; D. W. Campbell, Treasurer. Direc- 
tors: Jno. E. Mink, M. H. McCue, P. J. Payton, William W. Taylor, 
M. R. Grant, L. B. Cross, W. A. Wilson, George Dugan, Peter Guinan, 
and Jacob Welch. 



TRANSPORTATION. 



RAILROAD ROUTES ACTING AS FEEDERS TO THE COMMERCE 

OF KANSAS CITY. 



\ I NPRECEDENTED as has been the growth of Kansas City in' every 
L I important element of material prosperity-, it is certain that no fadlor 

has been more potent in contributing to the gratifying results now 
apparent, than the concentration here of all the important trunk lines of 
the Southwest. Fifty years ago, at the time of the first founding of the 
village which has now expanded to such imposing proportions, the mov- 
ing cause of its proje(5lion was the fadt that the site chosen afforded the 
most available spot for a terminus of the Santa Fe trail, over which a 
traffic, large for those days, was carried on by the use of slow but hardy 
oxen. The Kansas City of to-day is not more in advance of the town of 
Kansas of 1838 than is the means of transportation now afforded for 
reaching not only the other end of the "Santa Fe trail " in New Mexico, 
but all the populous and thriving country which has replaced the wild- 
erness through which the trail passed, to the slow and tedious methods 
of traffic which prevailed at the beginning of Kansas City's half century 
of existence. 

In the case of Kansas City, geographical advantage was supplemented 
by the progrt ssiveness of citizens who realized the grand possibilities for 
commercial supremacy offered by the incomparable location of the city. 
From an early period in the history of the town the efforts of its business 
population have been unceasing to utilize the advantages of location and 
surroundings which made it the most eligible site for a metropolis of the 
Southwest. Even in ante-bellum days vigorous steps were taken to secure 
a railroad conne(5tion with the East, and from that time on no oppor- 
tunity has been lost which offered a possibility of the lengthening of the 
channels of her trade. 

Sanguine of the future as the earlier citizens of the cit)' were, even 

the most hopeful of them could not have pidlured in prophetic hues the 

26 



The Industries of Kansas City. 27 

brightness which has actually been realized in this semi-centennial year of 
the Midland City. Central to all the leading Western railway systems, the 
results so far achieved are grand indeed : and yet the near future opens a 
prospecl of a still more complete centralization of railway facilities at this 
point. 




KANSAS CITY UXIOX DEPOT. 



The Missouri Pacific Railway. — This read, which was the first 
one complete d to Kansas City, has been an important factor in the devel- 
opment of its commercial resources. The company has added, from time 
to time, to its s^-stem b}- taking in other lines, and now with its leased and 
operated lines, has nearly ^even thousand miles of railway in operation in 
Missouri. Kansas, Arkansas, Texas, Indian Territory, Colorado and Ne- 
braska, and gives Kansas City connection with these, and by connecting 
lines with the Eastern roads at St. Louis, and on the West w-ith roads reach- 
ing Old and Xew Mexico, Arizona and the Pacific Coast. Included under 
the Missouri Pacific management are the Missouri Pacific proper, the Miss- 
ouri, Kansas & Texas, and the St. Louis, Iron Mountains & Southern rail- 
roads, with a number of branches and leased lines connected with each of 
these. From Kansas City as a radiating point, it has lines to Leavenworth. 
Atchison, St. Jo.seph and Omaha on the North, to Fort Scott, Parsons, 
Carthage, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and Galveston on the South : 
Sedalia, Jefferson City. Boonville and St. Louis on the East, and Wichita. 



28 The Industries of Kansas City. 



Winfield, Pueblo Springs and Denver on the West. A recent addition to 
this system which is important to Kansas City is the Pueblo line, con- 
nected bv the Paola branch with Kansas City. This branch, fifty miles 
in lenoth from this city to Paola. Kas., with its western connecling 
branches, forms the shortest route to Pueblo, Col. The total mileage of 
the Missouri Pacific sj'stem, with its leased and operated railway's, Januarj- 
ist. 1 888. was 6.944 miles, an increase of 1.407 miles during 18S7. part of 
which was acquired by building and part by consolidation. Important 
additions will be made to the system during 1888. In the completeness of 
its arrangements for freight and passenger traffic, the management of this 
vast svstem is fully abreast with the times, and the complete identification 
of this road with the growth and import mce of Kansas City, gives it a 
leaoing place among the transportation facilities oi the Gate City. Its 
lines East. West and South constitute three important channels of com- 
munication between Kansas City and its sources of supply and trade ter- 
ritor\\ 

Union Pacific Railroad.— This road is the most important con- 
nec"ting link between the Atlantic and Pacific railroad systems, and its 
various divisions act as feeders to aU the railroad lines of the countr}-, 
East and West. The part of this system which contributes most direclly 
to the commerce of Kansas City is the Kansas division, with main lines 
and branches in Kansas and Colorado aggregating 1,205 miles. Much 
attention has been paid during the past year to impro\-ing the tracks and 
bridges on this system, and they are now in first-class condition. The 
Western end of this road, hitherto sparsely settled, is receiving rapid ac- 
cessions of population ; and settlements which a few years ago could 
count their citizens by dozens are now thri\-ing towns of 2,000 to 5,000 
people. In its facilities for passenger travel between Kansas City and 
Denver this route offers unsurpassed inducements in speed and comfort. 
The counties of Wyandotte. Leavenworth, Atchison. Jefferson. Pottawat- 
tomie. Douglas and Osage, in Kansas, traversed by this route, form 
important portions of a territor3' directly tributary-, in a commercial way, 
to Kansas City, and beyond that the road affords direct communication 
with San Francisco. Cal.. Portland. Ore., and prominent points in Ne- 
braska. Colorado and Utah. The present management of the road is fully 
appreciative of the importance of Kansas City as a central point, and has 
made many recent improvements, notable among which is a reduction of 
the running time between the Missouri River and the Pacific Coast by 
seventeen hours. The main line of this division, between Kansas City 
and Denver, is a favorite with the traveling public, and desen-edly so, as 
its fast time and arrangements for the convenience of passengers offer 
attractions to travelers not excelled by any line in the countrs-. The 
business of the road shows a steady and marked increase, which will con- 



The Industries of Kansas City. 2q 

tinue. as there is no part of the West which is more rapidly attracting 
population or offers greater opportunities for profitable investment than 
that traversed by the Union Pacific. 

The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. — The aggressive 
policy pursued b}* this company and the vast additions it his made 
by constnic'tion and consohdation have made it one of the most important 
systems in the West, comprising, as it now does, an aggregate of 6.817.62 
miles of road. The great amount of territory- tributary- to the trade of 
Kansas City penetrated by this route renders it a factor of supreme im- 
portance in building up the comtnercial and manufacturing interests ot 
the city. Among its recent acquisitions that of the Gulf. Colorado & 
Santa Fe Railway- of Texas is one of the most important, affording an 
additional connection with the Gulf shipping trade at Galveston and 
traversing one of the most fruitful and populous portions of the Lone 
Star State. Other lines and connec"tions place Kansas Cits* in direct com- 
munication with a large scope of trade countiy in Kansas. Colorado. Xew 
Mexico. Arizona and Old Mexico. The activity of this road in adding to 
its connec"tions is remarkable, and in 1887 it built more miles ot railway 
than any other company, the total construc~tion for the year amounting 
to 1,368.7 miles, including a direct line fi-om Kansas Cit>- to Chicago, 
] ] j miles in length and shorter by forty-four miles than any other route. 
The equipment being built for this road is one of the finest ever made, 
and the time between Chicago and Kansas City will be reduced from the 
fifteen hours consumed in the trip by existing lines to twelve hours. 
The company has further plans for the extension of its system which 
will add still more to the facihties of Kansas Cit\' for trade with the 
West. 

The Gulf Route.— Comprising the Kansas Cit\-. Fort Scott & Gtilf, 
Kansas City. Springfield & Memphis, Kansas Cit\-. CUnton & Springfield, 
and Kansas Cit\' Memphis & Birmingham railroads, is. as may be in- 
ferred, one of Kansas City's chief trade arteries. The fertile territon.- trib- 
utary to this lie e in Kansas and Missotrri is particularly desirable territory 
for the Kansas CitA" jobbing trade : ships large quantities of the various 
cereals and contributes materially to Kansas Cit\"'s abihty to demonstrate 
her superior position as a stock market and packing center. With large 
and rich veins of coal along its lines in Kansas and Missouri, inexhaustible 
forests of hard woods in Southern Missouri and the wonderful iron section 
recently opened by the line to Birmingham. Ala., the Gulf route will pro- 
bably be the principal fac~tor in the development of Kansas Cit\-'s already 
rapidly increasing manufacturing interests. The completion of the Bir- 
mingham line not only opens up a through passenger line to Florida and 
all principal Southern cities, but gives Kansas Cit\- merchants a direcl 
throug-h Hue to the Southern Atlantic cites, which will doubtless have 



30 



The Industries of Kansas City. 



great bearing on the question of Kansas City's commercial supremacy and 
may revolutionize present arrangements for exports and imports through 
one or two expensive ports only. Through cars are run from Kansas 
City to Memphis, Chattanooga, Knoxville and Bristol, Tenn. ; Birming- 
ham, Ala. ; Atlanta, Ga., and ISTevv Orleans, La. Direcfb connexions are 
afforded both passengers and freight for Texas points, via either Nichols 
or Jonesboio. The lines comprising the Gulf Route are as follows : Main 
line, Kansas City to Birmingham, Ala., via Fort Scott, Springfield and 
Memphis; Clinton line, Olathe, Kas., to Ash Grove, Mo., via Harrison- 
ville and Clinton; Rich Hill Branch, Miami, Kas., to Rich Hill and Car- 
bon Center, Mo. ; Joplin Division, Fort Scott to Joplin and Webb City, 
Mo. ; Cherryvale Division, Arcadia, Kas., to Cherryvale, Kas., via Pitts- 
burg and Parsons. ; Current River line, from Willow Springs, Mo., through 
the rich pineries of southern Shannon County, to Van Buren and Lee, Mo. 

Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway.— The Great Rock Is- 
land was the first among Western railways to project, build, equip and 
operate a line from Chicago to the Mississippi River, and the first to span 
that stream with a bridge for the uses of its increasing traffic. Its first ex- 
cursion train reached Rock Island in 1854, and from that time to the 
present it has held a prominent place among the leading Western roads. 
In 1871 its Southwestern division, diverging from its main line at Daven- 
port, la., to Kansas City, was completed. This road in the solidity of its 
track, and the perfecftion of its equipment is not surpassed in the country, 
and over its Kansas City division, including also St. Joseph, Leavenworth 
and Atchison as its terminal points, two splendid passenger trains run daih' 
to and from Chicago, making prompt time betw^een points of departure and 
destination. These trains have all the latest appliances and improvements 
which can add to the safety, comfort and luxurious enjoyment of passen- 
gers, the reclining chair cars, Pullman palace sleepers and dining cars be- 
ing as elegant as were ever placed on wheels. This division traverses some 
of the oldest richest and most attradlive portions of Illinois, Iowa and 
Missouri, and passes through most of the largest and most important cities 
in those States. A popular line for Kansas City people going North and 
Northwest to Minneapolis, St. Paul and intermediate pointf , as well as to 
Spirit Lake, Pipestone, Sioux Falls, Emmetsburg, Watertown in East 
Central Dakota, is the famous "Albert Lea" route, ovtr which reclining 
chair cars and Pullman sleeping and buffet cars are run through from 
Kansas City to the points named. Within the past year the compan}- has 
opened nearly 1,200 miles of road, all well built, and it is proposed by this 
progressive company to add still further to its connections and thus add 
substantially to the benefits it already confers on the trade of Kansas City. 

Chicago, Burlington & Quincy.— Another of the great Western 
railroad systems is that controlled by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 



The Industries of Kansas City. 



Railroad Company, which, with its leased and operated lines, has 5,756.6 
miles of steel track in use, reaching nearly all important points between 
Chicago and Denver. This system comprises the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quinc}^ proper, 2,063.3 miles ; the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, 296 
miles: the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad, 271 miles; 
the St. Louis, Kansas «S: Northwestern Railway, 263.3 miles ; the Chicago, 
Burlington & Kansas City Railway, 220 miles; the Burlington & Missouri 
Railroad, 1,941 miles; the Council Bluffs and Northern Railroad, 361 
miles; the Chicago & Iowa Railroad, 120 miles; Hannibal & Southern 
Railroad, 96 miles, and the Burlington, Western & Northwestern Railroad, 
125 miles. This route carries the fast mail west of Chicago, and its road- 
bed and equipments are without a superior among the railroad systems of 
the country. Of the lines above enumerated, the Hannibal & St. Joseph 
and the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs are the divisions b}^ 
which Kansas City is connecled with this great system. These lines are 
large contributors to the commerce of Kansas City and form important 
iaclors in her facilities for freight and passenger transportation. 

Chicago & Alton. — This road operates a direcft line between 
Chicago and Kan.sas City 526 miles in length, and has branches reaching 
St. Louis and other important points in Missouri and Illinois, making 
a total of 848.98 miles operated. The road has always been noted for the 
completeness of its equipment, and was the first to introduce free reclin- 
ing chair cars on its trains. The track of the road is at all times kept in 
first class condition, and the route has been, and is, a favorite one with the 
traveling public, as a consequence of the constant endeavor of the com- 
pan}'- to furnish everything that can contribute to the comfort and con- 
venience of the passengers. With the two leading and most progressive 
cities of the West as its termini, it does a large and steadily increasing 
business, and is an important inlet and outlet for much of the commerce 
of Kansas City. 

Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul.— The most important acqui- 
sition of railroad facilities to Kansas Cit}' in the recent past, is the com- 
pletion of a connedtion with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul sy.stem, 
covering about 6,000 miles of important territory, and opening about 
half of this to the trade of Kansas City. The connecting link is the road 
between Ottumwa, la., and this city, a distance of 209 miles. Work was 
begun on this line in Oclober, 1886, and it was completed in December, 
1887, this construction including the spanning of the Missouri River at 
Randolph Point, one mile ea.st of the city, with a substantial and hand- 
some iron and steel bridge costing $1,200,000. The companj- has its 
principal yards at Coburg, on the Blue River, east of the city, where its 
extensive machine shops will also be located, and it also has large yards 
at Armourdale. A large and handsome depot on Twenty-second or 



32 Tu^ Industriks of Kansas City. 

Twenty-third streets, which will probably be used as a Union Depot by 
this and other roads, is also projedled by this company. The permanent 
and valuable investments made by this corporation in Kansas City are 
another evidence of the favorable view taken by the leading capitalists ot 
the country of the future of this city as a center of produdlion and dis- 
tribution. 

The Wabash Western.— Notwithstanding the legal complica- 
tions of the Wabash system, it still remains an important adjundl to the 
trade and production of the Midland City, and although no additional 
mileage has been added during the past two or three years, the track and 
equipment has been kept in first-class condition, and the road does a large 
amount of business. The Wabash Western Railway Company' operates 
that portion of the old Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway west of the 
Mississippi, between St. lyouis and Kansas City, Des Moines and Council 
Bluffs ; and east of the Mississippi, between Detroit and Logansport, and 
between Indianapolis and Michigan City. An important adlion of this 
company, which adds materially to Kansas City's business, is the location 
at Randolph Point of its car and machine shops ; giving employment to 
about 300 men, and the building in this city of a large and handsome 
freight depot. 

Kansas City, Wyandotte & Northwestern.— This road, which 
is emphatically a home enterprise, being controlled by Kansas City 
capital, is rapidly pushing to the front as an important adjun<ft to the 
business prosperity of the city. Construction was inaugurated in 1886, 
and since that time 116 miles of road from Kansas City, via Leavenworth 
to Seneca, has been construdled. To this the company are preparing j to 
add 100 miles more road in Nebraska in the present year, and still further 
extensions of the line are in contemplation. The country traversed by 
the road embraces one of the most productive agricultural regions of the 
West, which it has made direCt commercial territory for Kansas City's 
trade. The further plans of this road seem to tend in the direction of 
trunk lines dire(5t to Bismarck, Dak., on the north, and the Black Hills on 
the northwest. The suburban dummy trains run on this road between 
Leavenworth and this city, five trains each way daily, are a feature of 
interest to the transportation facilities of the city, which are highly appre- 
ciated. By a traffic arrangement with this road for the use of its tracks 
from Leavenworth to Kansas City, the Chicago, St. Paul & Kansas City 
system, including the Minnesota & Northwestern, and the Iowa Central 
railroads, has secured an entrance to this city, and opened up to its 
business an important seCtion ot the West. 

Other Railroads. — The Belt Lines, including the Kansas City 
Belt Line, with twenty miles of track already laid and in use, and the 
Second Street Belt Line, soon to be built, are important as providers of 



Thb Industries of Kansas City. 33 

terminal facilities to railroads entering the city. In addition to these, 
many and vast additions to the railroad connedlions of the city are being 
proje(5led, and a number are nearing completion. The great Chicago & 
Northwestern system will soon have a Kansas City branch in operation. 
Other roads rapidly pushing in this diredtion are the Chicago, Kansas 
City & St. Paul ; the St. I,ouis, Kansas City & Colorado ; the St. I^ouis & 
San Francisco ; the Kansas City, lyawrence & Nebraska ; the Missouri 
Central; the Kansas City & Pacific; the Kansas City, Fort Smith & 
Southern, and the Kansas City and Southern. Among proje(fted roads 
the Kansas City & Sabine Pass is one of the most promising, and will 
probabl}" be put under construdlion at an earl}' da}^ It would be impos- 
sible in the space allotted to this subjecft to even enumerate the projedled 
companies, which are chartered to constru(5t railroads in Kansas and other 
trade territory of this city's business, but all indications point to the fadl 
that in addition to existing lines and systems and the constru(5lion of 
new roads, an era of activity in railroad building surpassing all previous 
history is at hand, and that even the wonderful record, in this respecft, of 
18S7, is to be excelled by the present year. 

The great pivotal point of all this improvement is Kansas City, and 
no railroad system of any importance in the West can afford to omit this 
city from its calculations for the future. Here is being concentrated as 
a grand metropolitan center, all the transportation lines of the Southwest, 
and no fadl more strongly outlines the prospedlive growth of the city 
than this tendency of important railroad systems. 



MERCHANTS AND TRADERS. 



BUSINESS TRANSACTED BY THE KANSAS CITY WHOLESALE 
DEALERS AND JOBBERS. 



THE measure of the prosperity of a modern city is the extent of its 
commerce. All produ(5tive occupations carried on by civilized man 
depend upon the maintenance of a market in which their products 
may realize remuneration for the care, the skill and the toil bestowed 
upon them. Thus the energy and industry of the merchant and trader 
furnish the outlet by which the skill and labor of the farmer, the stock- 
raiser or the manufadlurer seek their remuneration. The business of 
the merchant is, therefore, one of the highest importance in the promotion 
of prosperity ; and the volume of his transadlions have a direct influence 
upon the encouragement of producftive industry. 

The line dividing the purely mercantile from manu^'acfturing pursuits 
is in some cases difficult to define, as in many cases the manufa(5turer un- 
dertakes the distribution of his own producft direcft to the wholesale or 
retail trades, and is a jobber of his own goods, while in other cases mer- 
chants add a manufacfturing department for the produ(?tion of some of the 
lines in which they deal. In this review of the industries of the city 
the lines devoted principally to distribution will first be noted, while 
reference to the manufa(5turing branches will be reserved for a subsequent 
chapter. 

Live Stock.— The convenience of the location of Kansas City with 
reference to the centers of produ(5lion of live stock has attracted to it a 
large trade, and the increase in the traffic in this line has been, perhaps, 
more marked than in any other dire(5tion. This city had attained promin- 
ence as a feeding and shipping point prior to 1871, when the stock yards 
were construcfbed, but since that time there has been a market establihsed 
here. The activity in this line has been greatly aided by the growth of the 
packing interests, mentioned more in detail later on, and the latest reports 
show that Kansas City is second only in the volume of its trade in these 

34 



Thk Industries of Kansas City. 37 

lines to Chicago, and that its live stock and packing business is increasing 
at a pace that gives assurance that it will in a few years reach the first 
place in these important industries. 

The story of progress in the live stock industry is told by the figures 
of receipts, which amounted in 1880 to 22,704 cars; 1881, 29,089 cars; 
18S2, 34,668 cars; 1S83, 45,470 cars; 1884, 55,227 cars; 1885, 63,213 cars: 
1886, 58,924 cars, and 1887, 69,681 cars, the last year being the largest in 
the history of this market. The total receipts of cattle for that year 
amounted to 667,229 head, an increase of 176,258 over the preceding 3'ear; 
of hogs, 2,440,840 head, an increase of 175,336; and of sheep 211,145, an 
increase of 38,486 head. In horses and mules there was a decrease of 
3,187 head in receipts, the total for 1887 being 30,001, against 33,188 for 
1886. These figures of themselves make a gratifying showing for this 
cit}' and prove that its claims to superior facilities for handling live stock 
are endorsed by the raisers and dealers of the West. No one connedled 
with the live stock interest believes that Kansas City has 5'et reached its 
growth in the volume of its trade in this line, and the concensus of opin- 
ion seems to be that this city is destined to be the leading live stock 
market and packing center of the countrj^ and the grounds for this 
opinion are many and easily discernable. It is to the Southwest that the 
country at large must look for the supply of the bulk of its meat, the 
colder regions oi the Northwest not affording the necessarj- climate for 
prolific produdlion, and of this Southwestern section of the country, em- 
bracing the region from the Mexican Gulf to Wyoming, Kansas City is 
the natural center, while the concentration here of all the principal trans- 
portation lines traversing the stock raising regions of the country, makes 
this point more available for carrying on the business upon a large scale 
than any other city. Packers recognize the advantage of a market nearer 
to the cattle ranges than Chicago, and the building up in this city of large 
packing industries of a necessit}^ brings with it an increase in the volume 
of transadlions in live stock 

For the increase in this business which is sure to come the live stock 
men of this city are fully prepared. The stock yards are constantlj' in- 
creasing their capacity to accommodate augmented receipts, and the con- 
stant accession of new railroads also forms Sn element which is. con- 
tinually aiding in the growth of this market. When it is considered, in 
connecftion with the figures of receipts for 1887 that that year was a con- 
fessedly poor one for the cattle business of the country, the encouraging 
advance in adlivity here becomes the more significant. 

Grain. — The fadt that Kansas City is the commercial center of a 
region of country more admirably adapted than any other in the Union 
to the produ(5lion of winter wheat, and also prolific in other cereals, ren- 
ders its outlook as a grain market promising, although it must be con- 



38 Thk Industries of KaNvSas Citv. 

fessed that the past iew years have shown a falling off in the figures of 
receipts. In wheat, the crop of the State of Kansas, which forms the 
principal source of suppl)^ for this market, has been very short for a num- 
ber of years, owing to unfavorable seasons, and the seasons for corn have 
also been bad ones for the past two years. The total receipts of grain at 
this market in 1887, were: wheat, 1,932,868 bushels; corn, 3,813,377 
bushels; oats, 2,295,217 bushels; r3^e, 38,300 bushels, and barley, 279,100' 
bushels. In oats and barley the receipts were larger than for any previous 
year, but in the other cereals there was a decided falling off. There is no 
reason to believe that the seasons will continue to prove unfavorable, and 
a comparison of figures shows that the amount of »vheat handled in 
Kansas City, has, for a number of years, borne about the same ratio to the 
surplus of the crop of Kansas, over the needs of the State for con- 
sumption. New transportation lines reaching the Indian Territory and 
the Texas Pan-Handle will open up those regions to the commerce of 
this city, and as the throwing open of the Indian country to settlement 
is only a question of a short time, there is every reason to believe that a 
greath' increased surplus producft will soon be seeking the market here. 

Wool, Hides and Pelts. — Few departments of trade exhibit a 
more gratifying condition than that in the lines of wool, hides and pelts 
in which not only is a large increase in the volume of the products 
handled at this point, but also a marked expansion of the territory form- 
ing Kansas City's source of supph^ for these commodities. Especially is 
this the case with wool, the more direct connection with Texas now en- 
joyed by this market having diverted here a much larger share of the 
crop of that State than has been received in any previous season. The 
volume of receipts and shipments for 1887 foots up a large percentage of 
increase in the wool trade over the figures for the previous year, the re- 
ceipts having been 19,515,376 lbs. in 1887 against 10,391,277 lbs. in 1886, 
an increase of 9,124,099 lbs.; and the shipments 14,811,605 lbs. against 
10,540,645 lbs. the previous year, an increase of 4,270,960 lbs. In hides a 
very large business is done, with prices ruling firm, and the receipts at 
this market in 1887 were 10,631,444 lbs., and shipments 13,574,291 lbs. 
The large produ(5tion of hides at the packing houses makes this point an 
important center for buyei^, and the demand is so steady that most of 
the packers keep their supply contradted for months ahead. In these 
lines there is every indication of a steady growth in the volume of busi- 
■^less transa(5led, the relative position of Kansas Cit)^ in proximitj^ to the 
source of supply and her transportation facilities for commanding trade 
in these commodities being superior to those of any other cit}- on the 
continent. 

Fruit and Produce. — In no department of commerce has the 
rapidity of increase in the volume of business tran.sa(5ted been more 



The Industries of Kansas City. 



39 



marked than in the fruit and country produce busines-;. All the main 
transportation lines by which the farmer of the Southwest seeks a market 
for his produ6ls center in Kansas Citj^ and these inlets for commerce in 
this line from every diredlion are continually increasing. It is impossible 
with the data at hand to give the complete figures in any line, as the 
large amount of many of the most important items comprised in the lists 
of country produdls received by wagon from the counties in Missouri and 
Kansas within a radius of over one hundred miles can only be partially 
recorded. Such figures as are obtainable, however, though failing to give 
the full volume of this trade, are in themselves sufficient to show the great 
importance reached by this industry. A recently published newspaper 
table gives the receipts of goods of this character for 1887 as follows: 
Apples, barrels, 44,285; white beans, bushels, 106,449; castor beans, 
38,860 bushels; flax seed, 345,802 bushels; broom corn, 28,166 bales; but- 
ter, 1,346,420 pounds; eggs, 14,006 cases, 2,264 packages; cheese, 27,200 
boxes; potatoes, 697,224 bushels; onions, 49,815 bushels; hay, 49.815 
tons. B}^ the same authority the shipments were 26,501 bushels apples; 
36,758 bushels white beans; 44,800 bushels castor beans; 317,900 bushels 
flaxseed; 38,403 bales broom corn ; 975,825 pounds butter; 20,010 cases 
and 2,264 packages eggs; 2,840 boxes cheese; 375,432 bushels potatoes; 
3,456 bushels onions, and 4,834 tons hay. For the purpose of arriving at 
the volume of the business, in the lines comprised in the fruit and pro- 
duce commission business inquiry w^as made by the Secretary' of the 
Fruit and Produce Exchange, and from the statements of twenty-five lead- 
ing firms the following report of sales representing, probably, nearh' half 
the actual business done, was compiled. It is particularly interesting as 
showing the value of this business in swelling the aggregate of the city's 
commerce. 

ARTICLES. VALUE. 

Apples, 370 cars $162,730 

Bananas, 178 cars 150,000 

Beans, 50 cars (20,000 bushels) 40,000 

Butter, 1,500,000 lbs 150,000 

Cabbage, 323 cars 129,249 

California small fruits, 64 cars 66,400 

Cheese, 20,000 hoops 130,500 

Cider, 300,000 gallons 82,000 

Cranberries, 17,500 bushels 131,250 

Dried fruits, 20 cars 33-5oo 

Eggs, 64,140 cases 323,360 

Honey, 20 cars 40,000 

Amount carried forward S [,438,989 



40 The Industries of Kansas City. 

Amount brought forward $1,438,989 

Krout, 125 cars 65,000 

Ivcmons, 417 cais, (125,100 boxes) 481,500 

Nuts, 114 cars 125,400 

Onions, 138 cars 71,387 

Oranges, 390 cars, (117,000 boxes) 481,495 

Poultry, dressed, 3,000,000 lbs 210,000 

" live, 200,000 doz 400,000 

Potatoes, 1526 cars (610,400 bush.) 510,000 

Pop Corn, 5 cars 4,000 

Strawberries, 80,000 crates 200,000 

Squash, 25 cars 5,000 

Turnips, 25 cars 3,000 

Tomatoes, 40,000 boxes 32,000 

Watermelons, 200 cars 30,000 

Miscellaneous sales, not itemized 500,000 

14,557,771- 

Estimating from the sales thus reported, the Secretary of the 
Exchange calculates that the aggregate of the business in these lines will 
not fall far short of $10,000,000 annually. 

Flour, Meal, Etc.— The milling industry, while it has of recent 
years shown an increase, is yet not equal to the opportunities which are 
afforded here for its success. In the heart of the finest winter wheat 
region on the continent, and having every element of availability in its 
favor, Kansas City should become a great milling center. It is true, that the 
past year, owing to the exceptional shortness, amounting to almost a total 
failure, so far as a surplus for manufacfture or sale was concerned, of the 
Kansas crops of corn and wheat, reduced produdtion here, but such sea- 
sons are incidents which in no wise refute the argument in favor of Kan- 
sas City's availability for much increased capacity for milling. The rapid 
settling of Kansas, the sure prospe(5t of the opening up of the Indian 
Territory, and the extension ot dire(?t transportation lines into the Pan 
Handle of Texas, all combine to improve the prospedl for a steadily 
increasing supply from one of the most produdlive sections of the Union, 
and to invite additional milling enterprises. Asit is now much of the flour 
used in the city is brought from other manufa(5luring centers, and few fields 
of enterprise offer more inviting opportunities for the investment of capital 
in manufacftures than does the milling business in Kansas City. The figures 
for 1887, owing to the short crops before mentioned, fell off from those of 
1886, but those of the present year will doubtless make a more favorable 
showing. Ea.st year the receipts of flour were 1,900 barrels and 379,858 



The Industries op Kansas City. 41 

sacks, and the shipments 2,081 barrels and 385,973 sacks; meal, receipts 
40,959 cwts., shipments, 65,348 cwts. ; bran, 93,054 cwts., received, 40,890 
cwts. shipped, while in hominy, mill-stufifs and feed the produ(fl of local 
mills was all used in the city. 

OTHER PRODUCTS. 

In many other commodities besides those enumerated in the forego- 
ing Kansas City does a large business both in receipt and shipment. In 
sotne of them the figures are given in the exhaustive annual report of 
Secretary Miller of the Commercial Exchange. By that report it is shown 
that 632,698 tons of coal were received and 137,721 tons shipped; zinc, re- 
ceipts, 34,041,900 lbs., shipments, 43,417,641 lbs.; pig lead, 37,794,437 lbs., 
received, and 19,569,198 lbs. shipped; bullion, 75,086,432 lbs. received, and 
50,890,039 lbs. shipped. These figures are for the year from July i, 1886, 
to June 30, 1887, inclusive. The same authority shows that in the same 
period there were of cofiee, 69,510 sacks received, and 35,785 sacks shipped; 
that the receipts of sugar were 203,798 barrels and 35 hogsheads, and the 
shipments 87,125 barrels and 23 hogsheads; salt receipts, 251,792 barrels, 
shipments 113,937 barrels. 

THE JOBBING TRADES. 

It has been shown, in the brief historical sketch introducing this 
work, that successful ventures in wholesale merchandising were estab- 
lished here while yet the town of Kansas was an inconsiderable village. 
The history of Kansas City has been one of continuous growth as a 
center of distribution, and this expansion has been due to the populating 
of the region to the West and Southwest, which forms the trade territory 
of its commerce. The country thus made tributary to the trade of the 
city has acquired increased wealth and augmented the sum of its pro- 
dudlion year after year, and has, in like ratio, also increased its demands 
for the necessaries and comforts of life, thus opening a wider channel for 
the business of the merchant, wholesale and retail. Contemporaneously 
with this growing demand the constant accession of transportation facili- 
ties has made Kansas City the center for the supply of all the countrj^ 
West and Southwest of her, as well as in the Western portion of Missouri, 
and she now holds a recognized position as the distributing point for a 
vast wholesale trade, covering not only Kansas, but also Iowa, Nebraska, 
Colorado, Wyoming, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, and has 
become the leading market for a population aggregating about 9,000,000 
people. Under such circumstances the aggregate of the business trans- 
a(5led by the jobbers of Kansas City is necessarily vast in volume, and a 
brief review of the state of trade in the several lines, will be appropriate 
to the objects of this work. 



42 The Industries op Kansas City. 

Groceries. — The first jobbing house ever established in Kansas City 
was engaged in the grocery Hne, and this city has, from that time to this, 
enjoyed a prosperous business as a jobbing center for groceries. There 
are now nine large^grocery houses in the city doing an exclusively whole- 
sale business, and carrying full lines of staple and fancy groceries, while 
there are a number of firms dealing in special branches of the trade. At 
a conservative estimate the amount of capital invested by these firms will 
exceed $3,000,000, doing an annual trade of about $23,000,000. In this 
line the principal territory receiving supplies from this market embraces 
Kansas, Western Missouri, Arkansas, Southern Nebraska and Southern 
Iowa, although the business is by no means confined to those States, the 
houses engaged in the trade being substantial and aggressive and making 
successful efforts of late to push their trade into a wider field. A sub- 
stantial evidence of the prosperity of the city is shown in the increase of 
grocery sales, which in 1887 aggregated an advance of over 20 per cent, 
as compared with the transactions of the previous j^ear. 

Dry Goods.— In dry goods and the kindred lines of notions and fur- 
nishing goods the wholesale trade is represented by a number of substan- 
tial and prosperous houses. Over $2,000,000 is invested in the wholesale 
business in these lines, and the annual volume of trade will aggregate 
about four times that amount. The houses engaged in -these lines are 
prosperous and not only is the aggregate of their sales steadily increas- 
ing, but the territory covered by their business is extending rapidly and 
they are successfully contesting for territory heretofore claimed by other 
jobbing centers as all their own. Retailers in the growing towns of the 
West are each year more numerously becoming convinced of the fadt 
that goods can be purchased to equal advantage here as in New York, so 
far as the assortment of their stock is concerned, and that the great sav- 
ing in time and freight expenses makes this market the best one in which 
to replenish their shelves. The steady growth in this business affords 
one of the most gratifying features of the trade expansion general to the 
jobbing business of the city. 

Drugs.— The jobbing drug trade of Kansas Cit}' is a very large one, 
engaging the attention and enlisting the energies of firms with ample 
resources, and steadily expanding the area covered by its trade, and increas- 
ing steadily the volume of its sales. The aggregate of this business in 1887 
was over $2,000,000, and the wholesalers expe(5t to add materially to that 
figure in the current year. The stocks carried in this line are in every 
respecft complete, and the facilities of the firms engaged are such as to 
offer every inducement to the retailers in the secflion of which Kansas 
City is the center. Details in regard to the leading houses in this line 
will be found in a later portion of this work. 

Agricultural Implements.— There is no branch of business trans- 



The Industries of Kansas City. 43 

adled in this city in which so favorable a showing is made in comparison 
with other centers of trade as in agricultural implements, for in this line 
Kansas City does a business exceeding in volume that of any other city 
of the Union. It is stated by a recent article on this subject that the en- 
tire produdt of the various manufacftories of implements in the United 
States for the past year is estimated at $60,000,000, and when it is con- 
sidered that in 1887 Kansas City alone handled $18,000,000 worth, or 
about 30 per cent, of the entire producft, the value oi this trade to the city 
will be seen to be of the utmost importance. The initial enterprise in 
this line here was one starting, upon a modest scale, in 1 865. Since then 
the growth of the business has been steady and continuous, the field 
occupied by the trade from this city widening, every year, until it now 
covers Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Southern Iowa, Colorado, Arizona, 
New and Old Mexico, Texas and Arkansas. Every fa(?tory of agricultural 
implements and machinerj^ in the United States has a representative here, 
and it is stated that 75,500 cars were required to transport the goods in 
this line sold by Kansas City houses during 1887, in which year, notwith- 
standing the general redudlion in prices of goods of this character, the 
aggregate of sales in this line was larger than ever before in the history 
of the trade in this city. No trade statistics so amply confirm the title 
of Kansas City to be considered the metropolis of a great agricultural 
region as do those relating to this branch of business, and nothing indi- 
cates more surely the greatness of her future as a commercial center than 
does the steady increase in the volume of this trade from year to 3'ear. 

Hardware. — In every description of hardware the increase of bus- 
iness during 1887 was as marked as in any of the other important 
jobbing lines, and the experience of the trade affords promise of a still 
more remarkable increase during the present season. The annual trans- 
acftions in this branch of trade reach over $3,000,000, and the jobbers 
engaged in the line are aggressive and are steadily encroaching upon 
the trade heretofore controlled by other cities. 

Boots and Shoes. — The volume of trade for 1887 in this line is 
stated to have reached $3,000,000, and the wholesalers in the line feel 
the utmost confidence in their ability to largely increase their sales 
this year. In the manufacfture of boots and shoes an encouraging begin- 
ning has been made, but there is still a most favorable opening for more 
industries of this charac?ter. In fact, there are few avenues of produc- 
tion in which the field is more inviting. 

Other Jobbing Lines. — In addition to the departments of com- 
merce indicated in the foregoing, Kansas City is represented in all the 
other lines usually carried on in a metropolitan center. Of all it may 
truthfully be said that their business status is most encouraging, all 
dealers agreeing that the year 18S7 was the most prosperous in their 



44 The Industries op Kansas City. 

history. In the wholesale liquor trade the loss of business by the Kan- 
sas prohibitory legislation has been fully made up by accessions in other 
territory, and the volume of the business was never before so large. In 
clothing, while there is still room for a large accession of manufadluring 
concerns, the jobbing business has shown a gratifying increase, and the 
same is true of hats and caps. In queensware, etc., a larger number of 
customers, an increased business and a wider field of operations is re- 
ported, and in the saddlery, stationery, paper and other jobbing lines the 
report is no less encouraging. 

The great increase in the commerce of this cit}^ may well be regarded 
with surprise by those residents of other cities who have not calmly and 
carefully noted the causes contributing to these results. The annals of 
trade present few, if any, parallels in mercantile growth. And yet, when 
the events of the recent past are reviewed, when the stimulation of Kan- 
sas Cit3''s commerce is observed in connedlion with her unprecedented 
accessions of transportation facilities, the rapidity of the populating ot the 
region of which she is the commercial center, and the confidence with 
which capital is being invested in all parts of the West and Southwest, 
the fa(5t of her accelerated trade is logically accounted for, and the assur- 
ance of a still greater volume of business in the future is established 
beyond possibility of doubt. 

The favorable showing made by the commercial houses is empha- 
sized by the increase in her banking facilities, the growth in her manu- 
facftures, the acftivity of her real estate transa(5lions, the number and 
value of her new buildings and all the elements of material progress that 
can possibl}^ combine to indicate stabilitj' in the present and encourage- 
ment for the future. 



PRODUCTIVE INDUSTRIES 



ACTIVITY OF KANSAS CITY IN THE PACKING INDUSTRY AND 

IN MANUFACTURES. 



INDISPUTABIvE as is the fact that mercantile enterprises are of 
great value to a city, it is no less unquestionable that produdlive pur- 
suits are conducive in a greater degree to permanent prosperity than 
are those solely devoted to the distribution of goods produced elsewhere. 
There is, therefore, no more encouraging sign for the future of Kansas 
City than is conveyed by the fact that her recent history has been one of 
remarkable adlivity in the increase in the volume of her already estab- 
lished manufadtures, and the acquisition of valuable additions to her fac- 
tories and workshops. 

That the necessity of manufactures to her future is recognized by the 
people of Kansas City, is evidenced by the substantial encouragement 
given to enterprises of this charadter, through the Merchants and Manu- 
fa(fturers' Bureau and other agencies, by which the capital invested in 
manufa(5tures — exclusive of the addition to the pork and beef packing 
facilities of the city— amounted to 75 per cent, increase during the year 
1887. 

It is proposed, in discussing the subject of the producftive industries of 
Kansas City, to first review the growth of its packing interest, then to 
briefly set forth what has been done in the way of manufa(5lures in gen- 
eral, and to supplement these with a concise statement of the induce- 
ments offered by the city for the establishment of other manufacfluring 
enterprises. 

Packing and Provisions.— During the two decades covering the 
history of Kansas City's connexion with the packing business, there has 
been a progress in its volume which gives indication of a growing con- 
vi(5lion on the part of the packing interests of the country, that here this 
industry must ultimately find its principal and permanent home. There 
was a time when Cincinnati held the greater portion of this business, but 

47 



Th:^ Industriks op Kansas City. 



as population and facilities for reaching Eastern and export markets 
centralized further West the necessity of removing the business nearer to 
the source of supply became apparent, and Chicago took the bulk of the 
business, and Cincinnati was " Porkopolis " no longer. The same causes 
which shifted the bulk of the packing industry from Cincinnati to Chicago, 
are now operating to secure a permanent home for it in Kansas City. The 
essentials for the creation of such a center are proximity to the source of 
supply, by which long and fatiguing hauls of live stock are avoided, and 
transportation facilities for shipping the produdl to the markets of con- 
sumption and export. Events have demonstrated that the permanent 
cattle range of the country will be principally located in the region 
between the Missouri River and the Rock)^ Mountains, and of which Kan- 
sas City is the commercial metropolis, and in the other requisite of railway 
conveniences it has been shown, in a previous chapter, that in this respe(5l 
Kansas City is already as favorably situated as any city in the West, and is 
acqiring additional facilities of this characfter more rapidly than any com- 
peting center. 

The causes thus combining to render Kansas City the most available 
spot for a great packing center have impressed themselves upon the lar- 
ger firms and corporations engaged in this industry throughout the 
country, and many of them have established houses here, while still more 
may be expedled to come in the near luture. In 1868, the first year of the 
industry, 13,000 hogs and 4,200 cattle were handled, and in 1887, the 
twentieth year of the packing business in this city, as shown b}'^ the val- 
uable and interesting report recently complied by Col. Theo. S. Case, as 
Secretary of the Merchants' and Manufadlurers' Bureau, the number of 
hogs packed was 1,937,866, of cattle, slaughtered 165,736, and of sheep 
72,349, the total produdl of the packing houses for the year aggregating 
$55,000,000 in value as against $36,700,000 for the preceding year. Dur- 
ing the year, two large dressed meat establishments were eredled, and the 
capacity for carrying on the industry has been largely increased. To this 
other concerns will soon be added, and the time is nigh when Kan- 
sas City from second place will advance to first, and Chicago will be 
compelled to surrender its supremacy in this department of producflion 
to the Midland City. 

Iron and Steel. — In the accession of new manufa<fturing indus- 
tries to Kansas City for which the year 1887 was the most notable in 
local history, those of which iron is the raw material form a conspicuous 
part. Nor is this acquisition to be wondered at when the many advant- 
ages of the city for the prosecution of industries of this characfter are 
considered. The city is located in a region which, in a radius of 150 
miles on the Missouri side is underlaid with practically inexhaustible 
supplies of iron ore, while a line of railroad gives dire(5l connection with 



The Industries of Kansas City. 



49 



the iron distri(5ls of Tennessee and Alabama. The supply of coal within 
a narrow radius is also ample and of the best quality, and all the elements 
of availability for carrying on the manufadture of the products of iron 
and steel combine here upon a scale of completeness not surpassed by 
any city in the Union. These advantages are combined with a large and 
ever widening home market for the produdl which offers an inviting 
field for the establishment of manufacftures of this charadler. These 
advantages have not been overlooked, although they were apparently 
negledted for a long time, and there is now no city in the United States 
which is more rapidly adding to the number and size of its manufadturing 
establishments in this as in other lines. 

Among the large industries already established are eleven foundries, 
three machine shops, two stove facftories, a nut and bolt works, frog and 
switch works, carriage spring works, several boiler fadtories, radiator 
fadlories, and manufa(5lories of corrugated iron work, plows, galvanized 
iron work, hay presses, tools, and a large number of other articles pro- 
duced from iron and steel, as well as those engaged in the producftion of 
wire goods. In addition to a large number of shops and foundries 
engaged in the manufadlure of iron and steel work on orders and for the 
trade, there are large shops for the railroad companies of which those of 
the Wabash and St. Paul railroads are the most considerable. 

Other Metal Industries. — In addition to the industries of which 
iron and steel are the materials, a number of other establishments are 
engaged in utilizing metals for 4:rade. Smelting of bullion is carried on 
upon an extensive scale, and Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona send 
supplies of refra(5tory or composite ores which cannot be profitably 
reduced at the mines to the works in this cit}', while large quantities of 
base bullion are sent here to be subjecfted to the refining process. Other 
metal industries include brass foundries, producing a full line of goods of 
that metal, and manufadlories of shot, of type, of cans, and of many other 
articles of commerce. 

Building Materials. — An abundance of suitable clay in the immedi- 
ate vicinity affords the means, and the great adtivity in building Kansas 
City and towns within its reach form the inducements, for large operations 
in the manufacture of brick. There are now seventeen firms engaged in 
this business, with a capital invested of $575,000, employing 2,500 hands, 
and with an annual production aggregating over $[,000,000. The prepar- 
ation of lime, in which five firms are engaged, produces a j-early output 
of $220,000, and other large works are engaged in various departments 
of building material nianufa(5ture, including cement making establish- 
ments with a combined capital of $160,000, and an annual product of 
$350,000, and manufa(5tories for the produc5lion of sewer pipe, tiles, terra 
cotta lumber, and other building materials, in addition to the firms en- 
gaged in making lumber and lumber produdls. 



50 Thic Industries op Kansas City. 

Lumber, Etc. — Kansas City is favorably located with reference to 
the receipt and distribution of lumber and its products, the timber re- 
sources of Missouri and Arkansas being ample for the needs of business 
for years to come, and being accessible by transportation lines reaching 
Kansas City. Saw-mills of large capacity are located in this produdtive 
timber belt, and from them an ample supply of yellow pine and other val- 
able varieties of lumber is received, to utilize which twenty-one planing 
mills are engaged, with an aggregate of 600 hands, and an annual pro- 
dudlion exceeding $2,000,000. The manufadture of furniture, boxes, 
trunks, cooperage, brooms, frames, show-cases, woodenware, carriages, 
wagons, etc., are included among the many industries for which this 
large timber supply forms the raw material. These enterprises have par- 
ticipated in the prosperity which has been generally characfteristic of all 
business in Kansas Cit}'^ during recent years, and a ready market is found 
for all the manufacftured goods produced by them. 

Other Manufactures. -It is not possible within the space accorded 
to this general review, to particularize each manufacturing branch carried 
on in Kansas City. The aggregate is a large one, but is not yet nearly 
up to the capability of Kansas City and its trade territory to support. 
The lines now here include in addition to those already enumerated, brew- 
eries, distilleries, manufacftories engaged in making baking-powder and 
other grocers' sundries, grinders of coffee and spices, manufa(5tories of 
crackers and confe(5tionery, of clothing, hats and caps, fur goods, jewelry, 
glue, matresses, mantels, mirrors, medicines, paints, oils, varnishes, soap, 
signs, umbrellas, etc., houses engaged in printing, blank-book manufac- 
ture, paper-box fa(5tories, and a number of other manufacturing concerns 
engaged in a varied number of lines. Many of these houses will have 
special mention in a later portion of this work. 

Inducements to Manufacturers. -It has been shown by the forego- 
ing portion of this chapter that Kansas City has already turned attention, 
upon an important scale, to manufadtures, and that many thriving and sub- 
stantial concerns are established in the city. But it is not intended to attempt 
to prove that Kansas City has achieved the full measure of her capabilities 
to support manufadtures, or that in any branch of productive industries 
the avenues to success are blocked by a complete covering of the field. 
On the contrary, while the advance in the manufa(5turing interests of the 
city during 1887, involving, as it did, an increase of over 75 per cent, in 
the capital invested in manufadtures in the cit)^, was probably the most 
remarkable accretion of produdtive resources ever obtained by any city 
in a single year, yet the field for further investment in manufadtures is the 
most inviting one open to the capital of the country. The supply of the 
raw material for all classes of manufadture is abundant in the vicinity, 
coal is cheap and plentiful, natural gas is one of the probabilities of the 



The Industries of Kansas City. 51 

near fuLure, and every convenience and requirement for engaging in pro- 
dudlive pursuits is at hand. Of course this wealth of raw material would 
be useless without a market for the manufacftured produdt. But in this 
respedl the inducements are even more strong. The central position of 
Kansas City to means of transportation has already been shown to be the 
best in the West, and the rapid growth not only of the city itself, but of 
the vast and fertile regions of which it is the commercial center, provides 
for the producer not only an already large market, but one that is growing 
year b}^ year and day by day at a ratio of increase much greater than any 
other region of equal extent in the world. These, in brief, are the in- 
ducements offered to manufacturers to establish themselves here, and in 
addition to these advantages of situation the Merchants' and Manufac- 
turers' Bureau, as an organization, and many progressive citizens as 
individuals, are prepared to offer special inducements to manufacturing 
enterprises in the way of cheap manufaCluring sites and .other substantial 
methods of encouragment for ventures of this characfter. Those interested 
in this subject should refer to the recently published annual report of 
the Merchants' and Manufacturers' Bureau, prepared b}^ Col. Theo. S. 
Case, formerly Secretary and now Vice-President of that organization, in 
which the advantages of Kansas City and the inducements offered for ad- 
ditional manufactures are clearly and fully set forth. Manufacturers look- 
ing for a location would also do well to correspond with Mr. Matt. H. 
Crawford, the efficient successor of Col. Case in the Secretaryship of 
the Bureau. 



BANKING AND FINANCE. 



MONETARY FACILITIES OF THE GATE CITY FOR THE EFFICIENT 
PROSECUTION OF ITS BUSINESS. 



^^IvOSElyY related to the industries of produdlion and distribution 
V are the banking facilities of a city, and there is no more accurate 
> barometer of prosperity or reverse than the degree of adlivity shown 
in the reports of the clearing house. The increase in the bank clearings 
and balances shown by the clearing house reports has been more remark- 
able in Kansas City than in any other financial center of the country as 
is shown by the following totals for the past five years : 

CLEARINGS. BALANCES. 

1883 $132,501,100 $19,568,742 

1884 177,174,467 25,037,129 

1885 223,789,419 36,565,250 

1886 283,938,359 56,042,136 

1887 389,623,072 84,195,735 

The increase of $105,684,713 in the clearings for 1887, or 37.22 per 
cent, over those for 1886, affords one of the most striking proofs possible 
of the magnitude of the business adlivitj^ of the past 3^ear. Activity in 
banking is an unfailing sign of prosperity in business ; and gauged by 
this test the most flattering reports that have been made of the Kansas 
City boom are proven to have been fairly based on the situation. 

There are twenty-two banks in Kansas City, eight of which are 
National banks. The capital of these banks is as follows: 

National Bank of Commerce $2,000,000 

American National Bank 1,250,000 

National Bank of Kansas Cit}^ 1,000,000 

Union National Bank 600,000 

First National Bank 250,000 

Amount carried forward, $5,100,000 

52 




NEI^SON AND WELLER BUILDING. 



The Industries op Kansas City. 55 

Amount brought forward, $5,100,000 

Merchants' National Bank 500,000 

Citizens' National Bank 200,000 

German-American National Bank 200,000 

Armour Brothers' Bank 250,000 

Central Bank 100,000 

Kansas City Stock Yards Bank 200,000 

Kansas City Safe Deposit and Savings Bank 200,000 

Grand Avenue Bank 50,000 

Savings Bank of Kansas City 50,000 

Home Savings Bank 50,000 

Savings Bank of Kansas 27,000 

Security Savings Bank 25,000 

Other Banks 135,000 

$7,087,000 

This is an increase in banking capital of $2,322,000 from December 3 , 
18,86, to December 31, 1887. In addition to capital as above stated the 
banks in December, 1887. had a total surplus of $983,400. 

Nor does this large capital in the regular loan and discount and savings 
banks represent the sum of the financial resources of Kansas City, for 
there are here in addition, twenty-eight investment companies, with an 
aggregate capital of $7,773,000 and a surplus of $278,000. 

The year 1887 was a prosperous one for banks in all parts of the Uni- 
ted States, but in no other city in the Union was there so large a percent- 
age of increase, either in the clearing house operations or in banking capital, 
as in Kansas City. In other respe(5ls the financial history of the year was 
equally favorable. Although there was an increase during the year of 
1,100 new firms, wholesale and retail, there were only thirty-one failures 
in 1887 against thirty in 1886, while the amount of liabilities of the thirty- 
one was only $257,000 as against $470,792 for the thirty in the preceding 
year, making a difference in favor of 18S7 of $213,592 in the amount 
involved in failures. So that even the figures showing the reverses of 
the few unfortunates makes a favorable exhibit for the financial stability 
of Kansas City. 

The banks all paid substantial dividends during the past year, and in 
every way they give evidence of their stability. The}^ pursue a conser- 
vative course and adhere .stridlly to legitimate banking principles, and 
their great success is due to the active interest which the capital of the 
country is taking in Kansas City, and the large amount of money which 
is tieing invested here in property- and business. » 



REAL ESTATE. 



MAN}' MILLIONS BEING INVESTED BY CAPITALISTS IN KAN 
SAS CITY AND SUBURBAN PROPERTY. 



INCIDENT to the growth in commerce, in transportation facilities, in 
manutadlures and in all the elements of progressiveness and metro- 
politan surroundings, there has been for several years an increasing 
acftivity in real estate transa(5tions in Kansas City. The causes for this 
have been made apparent in the preceding chapters, in which the story 
of the expansion which is apparent in all the material interests of the 
city has been truthfully told. With important industries already here in 
large numbers, and others continually coming in ; wdth a back country 
which is receiving accessions to its population more rapidly than anj^ 
other part of the Union ; with a greater share in the advantages to be 
derived from railroad construdlion than any other city, and with a record 
of prosperity in all the adlivities which has no parallel in the histor}- of 
American cities, it is not in the least to be wondered at that the demand 
for real estate in this city should have been strong and that the capital- 
ists of the country, seeking safety and profit in their investments, should 
have their attention attracted in this direcftion. 

The size and number of the investments in real estate in this city 
have brought forth, from time to time, expressions from the press and 
real estate dealers of other cities, indicating doubts of the stability of the 
prosperity of which this activity in real estate is one of the strongest 
indications. This spirit of distrust is not, however, shared by those who 
have taken the trouble to investigate the causes for the continued demand 
for Kansas City property, found in the continued augmentation of metro- 
politan conveniences, and an accelerated growth in all the elements of 
material advancement. For a number of years the question of the final 
location of the commercial and manufa(5turing center for the vSouthwest 
was in dispute as between Kansas City and several rival cities, but events 

have settled this question and the supremacv of Kansas Cit)^ is confirmed. 

56 




NEW YORK I.IFE INSURANCE BUILDING. 



Thk Industries op KLa.nsas City. 59 

Just as surely as that the vast and fertile region of which it is the gate- 
way will grow in population and importance, is the fadt that it is the 
destiny of Kansas City to become one of the largest and to remain one of 
the busiest of American cities. The money that is invested in Kansas 
City realty is placed safely and profitably, and wonderful as the adtivity 
has been and now is, it is fully justified by the conditions of the present 
and the certainties of future development. 

A very large amount of the capital invested in Kansas City has come 
from the East, where people of substance find a difficulty in securing 
more than 3 or 4 per cent, upon safe home investments. Wisely looking 
for opportunities for larger returns upon securities equally as safe As those 
in which these low interest rates prevail, attention was directed toward 
the West, and to Kansas City as the center of the brightest promise in all 
the region of which it is the metropolis. The more closely the posses- 
sors of capital have scanned the situation and weighed the probabilities 
of the future, the more firmly established has become the convi(5tion of 
the wisdom of investment here. The result is shown in the fa(5t that 
among the heaviest investors in Kansas City property are numbered men 
and corporations known for their solid conservatism and for their rigid 
scrutiny of all the surrounding fa(5ls before investing. 

The figures for the past three 3'ears form the most convincing evidence 
of the extent and stability of the confidence felt by capital in the property 
of Kansas City, Mo., Kansas City, Kas.; Independence and the North side. 

In Kansas Cit}^ Mo., the transfers were for 1885, $17,745,700; in 1886, 
$54,640,083; in 1887, $98,030,529. On the West side, (Kansas City, Kas.,) 
they amounted in 1885 to $2,011,461; in 1886, $8,031,862; and in 1887, 
$16,930,248. On the East side, (Independence,) thty were in 1885, 
$1,142,316; in 1886, $3,144,447; and in $1887, 15,599,749. On the North 
side, (Clay County,) the figures were: $1885, 528,506; in 1886, $864,667; 
and in 1887, $6,314,310. The totals for Kansas City, Mo., and the West, 
East and North sides were in 1885, $21,427,983; in 1886, $66,681,059; 
and in 1887 reached the enormous total of $136,865,836. 

There is no previous record of increase in the real estate of any city 
in the Union which at all compares with that shown by the foregoing 
figures. They afford the most convincing response to the arguments of 
those who have predicted the collapse of the " boom " which Kansas City 
realty has enjoyed, with steadily increasing strength, for the past three- 
years. Prices are, of course, much higher than they were in 1885, but 
they are not inflated and have only kept pace with the growth of the city, 
with its acquisitions in a(5tual improvements, and with the rapidity and 
foresight with which the city is providing itself with the means and facil- 
ities for metropolitan existence. Although prices have advanced they are 
still below cities of similar size in the East, none of which can compare 
possibilities for future growth with this city. 



6o The Industries of Kansas Ctty. 



The real estate market in this city has become less and less sp'ecula- 
tive, and the ruling feature of the transa(5lions of the present is the fact 
that they are nearly all made lor permanent investment. The class of 
investors now taking the greatest interest in Kansas City is one that 
desires to secure a safe and profitable income, and buys real estate for the 
purpose of building upon it and securing to themselves the benefit of the 
future advance in price. Option sales are not so common now as they 
were a 3'ear ago, and most of the transadlions are upon a cash basis, giving 
to the real estate market a substantial foundation and offering a most solid 
proof of the abiding faith of investors in the permanenc}'' and future in- 
crease of values. 

The a(5livity in the real estate market is not confined to large prop- 
erties intended for sites for magnificent office buildings and mammoth busi- 
ness palaces, but the demand is great for manufa(fturing sites, for smaller 
business houses, for the homes of the tradesman and the mechanic, and 
for the needs in every way of the steadily increasing population. New ad- 
ditions are being laid out, which, while being sufficientl}' near to the busi- 
ness center, are sold at prices which offer unsurpassed inducements to those 
of modest means, working men, clerks and those doing business upon a 
small scale, to secure homes, which can now be procured at a comparative 
economy of cost, and which will increase in value from year to year. It 
is important that Kansas City should become a City of Homes, and the 
acftivity of investments of this character affords a cheering sign for the 
future. The confidence of the residents of the city in the stability of its 
prospecfts is evinced by the general demand on the part of all those who 
are able to invest, for a site tor a home or business place. The accession 
of manufacfturing concerns, which is now so rapidly and steadil}^ going 
on, will doubtless cause a still further augumentation of the population 
during the present year, and although the building activity of 1887 was 
remarkable, there is still a lack of sufficient buildings to properly accom- 
modate the increased population, for although there are three and a half 
square miles of buildings eredled here every year, and over 40,000,000 
brick laid, there is an average of three families to every house in the city. 
This accounts for the adlivity which has been manifested in the more 
desirable additions which have been platted within the last year or two, 
and which continue to be in demand for building purposes. 

THE BUII.DING RECORD. 

That the numerous transadlions in Kansas City realty were not merely 
for speculation is shown by the wonderful and unprecedented acStivity in 
the eredlion of buildings in the year 1887. During that year 5,455 build- 
ings, representing in the aggregate an expenditure of about $15,000,000, 
were erected in Kansas City. This is not onlj- a great advance in num- 



Thk Industries op Kansas City. 



6i 



ber, but the charadler of the buildings themselves were so much superior 
to those eredled in any previous year as to make the comparison with 
former records still more favorable. Among these buildings are the new 
Commercial Exchange building, a seven-story struc5lure, 120 x 172 feet; 
the Midland Hotel on Seventh street, running from Walnut street to 
Grand avenue, seven stories high, and costing $1,000,000; the American 
Bank building, at Eighth and Delaware stretts, seven stories high, cost- 
ing $500,000; the Warder Grand Opera House, at Ninth and Holmes 




TH'E MIDIvAND HOTEL. 

streets, costing $25,000; the New York Life Insurance Company's build- 
ing, costing $1,000,000; the Coates House, the Water- works building, the 
Keith & Perry block, the Nelson & Weller building, costing $800,000; 
the Exposition building, costing $300,000 ; the Rialto building, costing 
$75,000; the Central block, at 310 East Ninth street, six stories high, 
costing $100,000; the Kansas City Club building, at Twelfth and Wyan- 
dotte streets, five stories high, costing $110,000; the Y. M. C. A. building 
at Ninth and Eocust streets, costing $110,000; the Gibraltar building on 
Wyandotte street, near Ninth, costing $200,000, and a number of other 
large office and business blocks ranging from $50,000 upward in value. 



62 The Industries op Kansas City. 

It is not, however, in these large stru(5tures alone that the improve- 
ment is visible, and a very large amount of money has also been invested 
in private residences and residence blocks, many of them built upon 
handsome and attra(5live designs, and on this class of buildings over $2,000,- 
000 were expended during 1887. 

In public buildings, such as churches and schools, the building 
record was also very gratifying, $1,500,000 having been expended in this 
class of strucftures in 1887, as against $150,000 in 1886. Among these 
buildings are the Grand Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church at Olive 
street and Independence avenue, erecfted at a cost of $30,000; St. Mary's 
Church, which when completed will cost about $90,000; Trinity Church, 
which is rapidly approaching completion and is expected to be ready for 
occupancy at the coming Easter, erecfted at a cost of $100,000; Calvary 
Baptist Church, also now building, to cost $80,000; the English Lutheran 
Church at the corner of Fourteenth and Cherry streets, to cost $55,000; 
and Grace Episcopal Church, upon which work was begun last Novem- 
ber, and which is expedted to be completed by January i, 1889, at a cost 
of $160,000, exclusive of the lots, which cost $40,000. In addition to 
these, there are seven other churches in course of eredlion in this city. 
In 1887 the public school building, worth $32,000, was put up at the corner 
of Twent3^-Fourtli and Prospedl streets, and another at Twenty-Sixth 
and Dripps streets, costing $10,000, was also built. The Sisters of St. 
Joseph built a $6,000 private school building at the corner of Tracy street 
and Pacific avenue. 

The building record of the city is the best test of its growth in pros- 
perit)', for it shows that not only is there adlivit}- in the mere exchanging 
of properties, but that there is a demand for strucftures in which to trans- 
acft business, a demand which is never experienced except in prosperous 
times. It is a significant fa(5t that the handsome business blocks and 
private residences of Kansas City are not confined to one street or 
localit)', but are found in all parts of the city. The buildings eredted in 
1887 represent a frontage of over twelve miles. 

A great incentive to activity in building here is the augmentation of 
facilities for urban and suburban transit, which has been greatly improved 
during the past year, and a further reference to which will be found in a 
later chapter of this work. The outlook for the present year in real 
estate and building is very bright, as the causes leading to the large vol- 
ume of business in these lines in 1887 exist in still greater force at the 
present time. The population is increasing at a rapid rate, new indus- 
tries are springing up, new territory for trade is being acquired, and the 
large numbers of people attra(5led by these favorable conditions will 
necessitate the maintainance of values in real estate, and a continued and 
accelerated acftivit}" in building enterprises. 



THE LOCAL PRESS. 



SKETCH OF THE METROPOLITAN XEWSPAPERS AXD THE MEN 
WHO MAKE AND MANAGE THEM. 



THE quality of a cit^^'s newspapers may usually be taken as an index 
of the character of the city itself Sleepy and unprogressive towns 
usually have dull and commonplace journals to represent them, while 
progressive communities are usually represented by a wide awake and 
enterprising press. No city affords a better proof of this statement than 
this, in which the papers are noted for their restless adlivity in, news 
gathering, their enterprise in availing themselves of even,' means to make 
their columns attractive, and the general "get there" attributes which 
belong to modern and progressive American newspapers to a greater 
degree than has ever been shown by the press in an}- other age or 
country. 

Next to the characteristic of vigor, the most notable feature of the 
press of Kansas City is its evident and abiding faith in the fact that in 
Kansas City is located the center of gravity-, and that the hub of the uni- 
verse has been moved West. The leading dailies of this cit}- are recog- 
nized throughout the countn,' as among the greatest and most influential 
of American journals, and this title has been fairly earned by the concen- 
tration upon their columns of the highest and most progressive order of 
American newspaper work, by the employment of abilit} and earnestness, 
and by a constant improvement of opportunities in the endeavor to create 
journals which shall be worthy representatives of the growth and expan- 
sion ot the great Southwest. 

The Kansas City Times.— On September 8, 1868, the first num- 
ber of The Kansas City Tlzw^.^^ was issued from 919 Main street, accord- 
ing to the enumeration at that time, being directly opposite its present 
quarters. The proprietors were R. B. Drurj- & Co., and John C. Moore 
and J. N. Edwards were editors. On December 22, 1868, the paper was 



64 



Thk Industries op Kansas City. 



sold to a new company which organized under the name of The Kansas 
City Times Publishing Co., with William E. Dunscombe as President, 
Charles Durfee, Secretary, R. B. Drury, Auditor, and John D. Williams, 
Business Manager. The editors from the first were Colonel John C. 

Moore and Major John N. 
Edwards, who were the 
originators of the enter- 
prise. From this time until 
April, 1869, there was no 
change in the ownership or 
departments of the paper. 
On that date Mr. James E. 
McHenry was made busi- 
ness manager, and held that 
position until June 20th of 
the same year, when he was 
succeeded by Mr. C. E. 
Chichester. September 20, 
1 869, the ofiice was removed 
to the corner of Fifth and 
Main streets, and on Febru- 
ary 20, 1870, the company 
was dissolved, the paper be- 
ing sold at public sale to 
Mr. Charles Dougherty, of 
Independence, Mo. ' Mr. 
Dougherty's associates in 
the purchase were Colonel 
Moore and Major Edwards. 
The paper moved along 
with varying fortunes un- 
til August 20, 1 87 1, when 
the proprietorship again 
changed. Amos Green was 
made President, Thomas H. 
Mastin, Treasurer, and 
Morrison Munford, Secre- 
tary and Business Manager. 
The same month The Times 
removed to more commodous quarters on Missouri avenue. In 1872 Mr. 
Mastin sold his interest to Messrs. Green and Munford, and Mr. 
Green retired in 1875 and Mr. J. E. Munford acquired an interest; 
and in November 29, 1875, the present Kansas City Times Co. was organ- 




KANSAS CITY TIMES BUItDING. 



The Industries of Kansas City. 65 

ized with the Messrs. Munford holding nine-tenths, and Mr. Samuel 
Williams one-tenth of the stock. In the spring of 1878 The Times again 
moved to 17 West Fifth street. The same year Mr. Williams retired 
from the company, and Mr. Charles E. Hasbrook became associated with 
the paper as business manager. In 1881 Mr. J. E. Munford retired, and 
the present organization was effected with Morrison Munford as Presi- 
dent and Manager and Charles E. Hasbrook as Secretary. In December, 
1885, The Times made another move to its present magnificent quarters 
at the "Junction." The success of The Times is mainly due to Morrison 
Munford, who obtained control of it in 1871. From that time forth it 
grew in popularity and influence, until it is now one of the greatest 
newspaper enterprises in the West. 

The Kansas City Journal. — This leading newspaper is now "at 
home" to its many thousands of readers in its new and faultlessly 
appointed building at Tenth and Walnut streets. It will be "at home" 
to them every morning during this, the thirt}- fourth year of its exist- 
ence, with all the news of the world for the twenty-four hours preceding. 
This news will possess, first, reliability; next, it will be given briefly or 
at length, as it concerns remotely or nearly the large and intelligent army 
of readers of which ih^Journalis so proud. At all times it will appear 
properly classified, conspicuously and in language as pure and vigorous 
as the English vocabulary contains. The reader will note the scope of 
this contradl and may be interested in knowing what facilities \h.^ Journal 
has for fulfilling it. First, the Journal commands the vast resources of 
the Associated Press and the United Press in gathering news. The fields 
covered by these institutions are all but illimitable. Great as these are, 
the Journal supplements them with its own leased wires to important 
news centers where it has its own special correspondents, and to these 
may be added its special telegraphic service from points in Missouri, 
Kansas, Arkansas, Texas, Colorado, Nebraska and Iowa. Next to the 
vast amount of reliable news it publishes daily, it prides itself on the 
volume, variety and accuracy of its market reports; nor is it content 
with the publication of mere quotations of everything in which men 
trade, but it dail}^ comments intelligently on the condition of traffic at 
home and abroad. Politically the Journal is unmistakably Republican. 
Its tone, however, is dignified, and even its political enemies admit that 
it is at all times decent. Its editorial columns also contain the best 
thought of the day on all current topics. The Journal" s local columns 
clearly and in a sprightly manner note the steady and satisfactory 
development of the city, and chronicle all that is worthy of local record. 
It publishes a large amount of carefully sdecfted miscellany and an 
amount of interesting and readable correspondence not found in any of 



66 



Thk Industries of Kansas City. 



its rivals. The mechanical equipment of the Joiirnal in quality is not 
surpassed by that of o-wy other newspaper in the land. In quantity it is 




THE KANSAS CITY JOURNAL. 

ample to meet the demands of a large and steadily increasing business. 

The Kansas City Star. — To a large number of people the evening 
newspaper affords the only efficient means of keeping informed upon 
the events of the day. Many whose avocations require their entire time 
from morning until evening, find in a well appointed evening newspaper, 
a means for obtaining information, which lack of leisure prevents them 
from seeking in the morning journals. To meet the wants of this large 
and intelligent class, bright and comprehensive evening newspapers, 
endowed wit'i facilities for news getting not inferior to those of the great 



The Industries op Kansas City. 67 

morning journals, are a recognized necessity in large and progressive 
American cities. No paper in the Union more acceptably fills this 
requirement than The Kansas City Star, a bright, newsy, aggressive and 
well edited evening paper. It was established September 19, 1880, and 
has since steadily increased its circulation and influence until it prints 
four editions, and sells an average of more than 28,000 copies daily. It 
is independent in politics, but emphatic and out spoken upon all 
questions of public interest, and is especially enterprising in the present- 
ation of the news pertaining to Kansas City, its growth and development. 
The Star controls and publishes exclusively the full day Associated Press 
reports and a large line of special telegrams, while the events of the city 
are picked up and presented in an attradlive shape by a staff of intelli- 
gent and experienced reporters. Its popularity has been evinced by a 
steady growth in circulation and influence, and it holds a rank among the 
most sprightty and well edited of American dailies. 

The Evening News. — ^This paper was established in March, 1885, 
b)^ Mr. J. S. Reber, upon a modest scale, the press work being done at 
the A. N. Kellogg newspaper establishment. In the summer of 1886, Mr. 
Charles S. Painter acquired an interest and became Business Manager, 
and a Goss perfecfling press was purchased on which to print the three 
daily editions. Mr. Painter retained control of the paper until May 30, 
1887, when he sold out to The Evening News Association, by whom 
the paper is now published. The new owners, being experienced news- 
paper men from Eastern cities, immediatelj^ set to improving it and put- 
ting it upon a metropolitan basis. The ofiicers of the company are 
N. Eisenlord, President ; R. B. Gelatt, Vice-President ; Willis J. Abbot, 
Secretary, and A. N. Safford, Treasurer. The first work of the new own- 
ers was a complete re-organization of the stafl", and to this end Mr. Eisen- 
lord assum'ed the business management, Mr. Safford took charge of all 
matters pertaining to the circulation of the paper, Mr. Gelatt became 
editor, and Mr. Abbot, managing editor. Mr. Alfred Patels, who has been 
conne(5ted with the paper since its establishment, holds the position of 
city editor. The new management has effe(5led great improvements and 
largely increased the popularity of the paper, and a new press having 
been found necessary, Mr. J. J. Clause of Chicago, was commissioned to 
build a rapid perfecfting press, which was put in operation July 25, 1887. 
With characfteristic enterprise the management, when their facilities 
became thus adequate, established a special daily edition devoted to the 
interests of Kansas City, Kas. The reception given to this edition by 
the inhabitants of the city across the Kaw proves that the enterprising 
publishers were not in error in believing that Kansas City, Kas., 
demanded a daily metropolitan paper devoted to its special news and 
interests. The columns of the paper are filled to repletion with the 



68 The; Industries of Kansas City. 

latest news and the brightest comment, and with a large local force and 
numerous special correspondents, backed by able editorial management, 
the paper is rapidly acquiring an important place in the journalism of the 
West. 

OTHER PAPERS. 

In addition to these four daily papers Kansas City is represented in 
special fields by a number of bright and newsy journals too numerous to 
be separately and specially mentioned, but each of them holding an im- 
portant place in the department of journalism to which it is especially 
devoted. Among these are a number of trade journals, religious, educa- 
tional and technical papers and magazines and publications. 

The Kansas City Financial and Real Estate Record.— Without 
question the best edited and best printed paper of its class in the United 
States to-day is the Kansas City Financial and Real Estate Record. Es- 
tablished in April, 1887, as a representative of the realty interests of Kan- 
sas City and the Southwest, circulating among capitalists throughout the 
country, the artistic beauty of its pages, and its carefully conducfted edi- 
torial departments attracfted wide attention and called forth some of the 
most flattering notices from the press ever accorded a new paper. Per- 
haps the magnetic name of Kansas City aided somewhat in bringing this 
paper into such prominence, but if any greatness has been thrust upon 
the Record \t can not be said that it has not rested well upon its shoulders, 
lycading real estate men of Kansas City agree that the Record has done 
more for the city in showing up to the outside world its advantages for 
speculation and investment than any other medium employed since its 
inception. The special editions of the Record Sive models of fine printing, 
and have proved quite an innovation in Kansas City journalism. The 
editor and publisher of this paper, Mr. Clifford F. Hall, has, as the pub- 
lisher also of the Modern Miller, had a large experience in class journalism, 
and his two excellent papers prove him to be a very conscientious worker. 
The Record offices are in rooms 40, 41 and 95 Hall building, corner of 
Ninth and Walnut streets. 

Kansas City Commercial.— Another paper which has aided in a 
large measure toward building up of the material interests of Kansas City 
is the Kansas City Commercial, a weekly newspaper devoted to the finan- 
cial, mercantile, real estate and building interests of the Midland City. 
It presents in an attradlive manner the fa(5ts pertaining to the growth and 
development of the city, and is in every way a reliable representative of 
the activity and industrial aggressiveness of the city. 

The Modern Miller.— Conspicuous among the first-class trade papers 
of the country is the Modern Miller, an elegantly printed forty-page 
monthly milling journal, devoted to flour milling and grain handling in- 






The Industries op Kansas City. 69 

terests. This journal is now in its twelfth 3'ear. It is one of the best 
technical authorities on modern milling now published, and numbers 
among its subscribers leading millers not only throughout the United 
States, but in every English speaking milling country on the globe. As 
may readily be surmised, it is a great advertising medium for the manu- 
facturers and furnishers of milling machinery. The Modern Miller is 
owned and edited by Clifford' F. Hall. The publication office is at rooms 
40, 41 and 95 Hall building, corner of Ninth and Walnut .streets. 

Kansas City Investor and Builder.— Among the leading class 
journals of Kansas City is the Investor and Builder, devoted to real estate, 
building, investment and mining interests. Its circulation covers the en- 
tire Southwest, and it is one of the most reliable exponents of Kansas 
'Cit^^'s interests. It is now entering upon its third year and is a substan- 
tial and reliable weekly journal. It is well patronized b}^ the contracftors, 
builders and business men of Kansas City and the Southwest, and as an 
investor's journal has no superior. It is the official paper of the Builder's 
Exchange and also of the Mining Exchange of the city. Its subscription 
price is only one dollar per year, and it is worthy of patronage. Its office 
is 407 Alamo building, and its editor, Mr. J. R. Hammond, is well known 
among the newspeper men of the Southwest. 

Among the other publications issued in this city are the following: — 
Broom Corn Reporter, Catholic Tribune, Christian Companion, Consoli- 
dated City, Dail}' Eive Stock Reporter, Horticultural World, Kansas City 
Architedt and Builder, Kansas City Implement and Farm Journal, Kan- 
sas City Presse, Kansas City Railroad Guide, Merchants' Exchange Daily 
Indicator, Mid-Continent, Missouri and Kansas Farm, Kansas City Mir- 
ror, Museum Programme, Swedish Blade, The Central Baptist, the Cen- 
tropolis. The Church Builder, The Daily Drovers' Telegram, The Hotel 
News and Real Estate Reporter, The Dramatic Echo and Sporting News, 
The Dry Goods Reporter and Jobbing Trade Record, The Evangel 
(M. E. Churchj, The Evening Penny Post, The Faithful Witness, The 
Herald, The Hotel Gazette, The Illustrated Public Press, The Kansas 
City Medical Index, the Kansas City Medical Record, the Kansas City 
Stock Yards and Packing House Bulletin, The Kansas Magazine, The 
Western Dental Journal, The Western Drug Record, The Western Illus- 
trated World, The Vorwaertz, The Western Farm and Stock Cultivator 
Journal, and Wilson's Sunday World. 



MUNICIPAL FACTS. 



THE CITY GOVERNMENT AND DEPARTMENTS, TRANSIT LINES 
AND OTHER MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST. 



PRIOR to 1853 there had been no municipal organization in Kansas 
City, the township organization having been considered sufficient 
for all purposes ; but in that year a charter was obtained from the 
State, and a municipal government was organized in the following spring. 
The original boundaries as embraced in that charter were the river on 
the north, Summit street on the west, Ninth street on the south, and on 
the east the alley between Holmes and Charlotte streets. In 1857 an 
amendment to the charter was procured extending the limits west to the 
State line, south to Twelfth street, and made the eastern boundary the 
half sedlion line which runs along the alley between McGee and Oak 
streets. In the following year the legislature again enlarged the limits, 
and made provision for the division of the city legislature into two 
branches, a Board of Aldermen and a City Council, which provision was 
repealed in the following December. Under a charter of February 12, 
1858, the city was divided into three wards. In February, 1872, an 
amendment of the charter divided the city into six wards, and in 1875 an 
entirely new charter was adopted, a metropolitan police was created and 
Thomas M. Speers was appointed Chief of Police, a position which he 
still holds. In 1885 the city was further enlarged and extended one mile 
east and a quarter of a mile south, and was redistridled into ten wards. 
The city now measures four miles east and west, and about an aver- 
age of three miles north and south, and includes 7,680 acres of land. 
The officers of the city are elecfted annually on the first Tuesday after the 
first Monday in April, and the ele(flive officers are the Mayor, Treasurer, 
Auditor, Recorder and Attorney, in addition to which there is a Common 
Council, composed of twenty members, two of whom are elected from 
each ward of the city, and a number of appointive officers. The princi- 
pal officers of the city government for the present year are : Mayor, 
Henry C. Kumpf; Treasurer, Ben. Holmes; Auditor, Benj. D. West; 

70 



r 



The Industries op Kansas City. 73 

Recorder, J. J. Davenport; Attorney, W. K. Hawkins; Recorder of 
Voters, John C. Hope ; Counselor, R. W. Quarles ; Engineer, John Don- 
nelly; Superintendent of Buildings, W. B. Everhart; Comptroller, A. E. 
Thomas; Assessor, T. H. Edwards; City Clerk, H. P. Langworthy; City 
Physician, Frank Sturdevant, M. D. 

An attempt was made recently to substitute the present charter, 
which in the opinion of a large number of citizens is insufficient to meet 
the needs of the city under its present conditions, and to this end, under 
an enabling adl passed in 1887, a board of thirteen free holders was 
eledled in October to prepare a new charter. They performed this duty, 
and the charter as prepared by them was submitted to a vote of the peo- 
ple January 30th of the present year. The vote was a very light one, 
and resulted in a defeat of the charter bj^ a vote of 2,613 against it to 
1,996 for it. 

The financial condition of the city is excellent, the rate of taxation 
having been steadily reduced from twenty-six mills in 1878 to fourteen 
mills in 1887. The city has no floating debt, and its entire bonded debt 
amounts to $1,045,121.25, due in i893-'95-'96, and to provide ior which 
there is $329,031.96 in the sinking fund, leaving the net debt $716,089.29. 
There has been a steady decrease in the amount of the indebtedness of 
the city for the past seventeen years, while during the same period the 
assessed valuation of city property has increased seven-fold, and is now 
about $75,000,000. 

The Water Works.— An ample and effedlive water supply is one 
of the most important items in municipal economy, and in this respedl 
Kansas City is as favorably situated as any city in the country. The 
first water works system was constructed in the years 1873 and 1874, and 
consisted of a pumping station with a capacity of 4,000,000 gallons daily, 
and located at the junction of Turkey Creek and the Kaw River. The 
growth of the city was so rapid that the capacity of the National Water 
Works Co. to supply it with sufficient water was severelj^ taxed, and the 
result was that the Kaw River as a source of supply was found to be 
entirely inadequate, and the company began to look about for a location 
where the water of the Missouri River could be secured free from the 
contamination of the sewage of any great city for many miles above. 
For this purpose the company seledled Quindaro, five miles up the 
Missouri River from Kansas City, and there built a vast reserv^oir with a 
capacity of 60,000,000 gallons. The reservoir is divided by heavy walls 
into four sections, and while the water is being pumped into one section, 
that in the others is allowed to settle, and at present the water is given 
six days to settle, and thus comes to the homes of the citizens clear and 
unpolluted. The pumping house, which is located by the reserv'oir, has 
a dail}' capacity of 20,000,000 gallons, and at Kaw Point is located another 



74 The Industries of Kansas City. 

pumping station with 9,000,000 gallons dail}' capacity, from which the 
low grounds of Kansas City, all Kansas City, Kas., Wyandotte and 
Armourdale are supplied. This is connected with the reservoir by a 36 
inch conduit. Another conduit, 30 inches in diameter, extends from 
Kaw Point up the Kaw River to the old pumping station at Turkey 
Creek, which has been enlarged by the addition of new machinery and 
now has a daily capacity of 14,000,000 gallons. From this station the 
entire upper parts or high grounds of the city are supplied. To this 
system of supply additions are soon to be made, which when completed, 
as they will be during the spring, will make the water supph' sufficient 
for the needs of a city of 500,000 people. The total cost of the system 
will be between four and five millions of dollars, and about a million 
dollars were expended for the improvements made in 1887. 

Municipal Departments.— The Kansas City police department is 
recognized as one of the most efficient in the countr}^ and consists of loi 
patrolmen, seven sergeants, seven detedtives, a sanitary sergeant, three 
captains, the chief and his private secretary. Physically it is one of the 
finest police forces in the country, the average weight of the patrolmen 
being 195.8 pounds, and that of the other officers 190^ pounds; the total 
weight of the entire 121 persons being 25,384 pounds. 

The fire "department consists of sixty-one full paid men and eight 
watch boys, and has apparatus in use comprising one four-horse hook and 
ladder, one two-horse hook and ladder, nine tW'O-horse reels, one Hale 
water tower drawn by two horses, one two-horse chemical engine, one 
two-horse hose wagon and three steamers. There are thirty-three horses 
kept by the department. The fire alarm system consists of 2 1 2 fire signal 
boxes and the 2,400 telephones of the City Exchange. 

In public improvements the city is very acftive, showing an apprecia- 
tion on the part of the authorities of the growing needs of the people. 
The amount expended in 1887 for public improvements was nearly double 
that spent in the preceding 5'ear, the total expended amounting to $900,- 
000 in 1887. Among the improvements were included 28.4 miles of side- 
walk, II. 8 miles of paved way, twenty-one miles of street graded, one 
half mile alleys graded, 8.30 miles of sewerage construdled, 21.5 miles 
curbing built, besides a large amount of other public work, such as the 
building of wooden bridges, catch basins, intercepting sewers and 
culverts, etc. 

Government Departments.— The returns of the Post Office and 
other Government departments in Kansas City, fully support the increase 
of figures shown in other branches of business. The receipts of the Post 
Office show an increase of twenty- five per cent, in 1887 over 1886, while 
the amount of mail matter handled was 30 per cent, greater than in 
the previous year, and the net profits of the office, 61 per cent, of 



The Industries of Kansas City. 75 

the total receipts, were greater proportionately than those of any^other 
first-class office in the country. In like manner the figures of the Custom 
House indicate a great advance in business, the value of foreign manufac- 
tures imported into the city during 1887 having shown an increase of 
68 per cent, over 1886, and more than 400 per cent, over 1885. The 
foreign value of imported merchandise passing through the Custom 
House amounted in 1886 to $279,712, and in 1887 to $470,790. In the In- 
ternal Revenue department the increase is fully as marked, the collections 
for the past three years having been as follows : In 1885, $978,713.18; in 
1886, $1,208,374.96, and in 1887, $1,324,445. 

Local Transit Lines.— The first street railroad was built in 1870 
from the corner of Fourth and Main streets, via Fourth, Walnut, Twelfth 
and Grand avenue to Sixteenth street, and in 1873 another line was built. 
From that time to the present additions have been made to the means of 
local transportation, until now the street car system of Kansas City is 
more complete in proportion to the population than that of any city in 
the Union. The most remarkable progress has been made in the con- 
strudtion of cable roads. At the beginning of 1887 there were thirteen 
miles of cable road in adtive operation, but at the close of 1887 there were 
twentj^-seven miles pra(5tically finished, with twenty-two miles in opera- 
tion. Another important addition made to the transportation facilities 
of the city was the building of the Kansas City, Independence and Park 
dumm}^ line, which was completed in Ocftober, 1887. This line is nine 
miles in length, reaching from Kansas City to Independence. The total 
additions to the street car sj^stem in 1887 amounted to thirty-four miles, 
making in all fifty-three miles of street railroad in Kansas City and its 
suburbs. 

The elevated railroad in Kansas City is an enterprise of which its 
citizens are justly proud, Kansas City being the only Western city which 
has adopted this metropolitan sj^stem of local transportation. The length 
of the elevated road is 3.5 miles, and a large amount of money has been 
expended by the Elevated Railway Co. in order to perfe(5l its system. In 
1887 the company constru(5ted a tunnel 800 feet in length, twenty-eight 
feet wide and twenty-one feet in height in the center, arched with sixty- 
seven courses of hard brick set in Portland cement, and the whole backed 
and topped by a thick wall of cement in order to save a circuitous route 
around the river and reaching the heart of the city in the most diredl 
manner. A double track cable line is being construdled through the tun- 
nel to Delaware street on Eighth, and an engine house is being built on 
the West side of the bluff to operate the cable, and further additions to the 
line are soon to be made. On the completed portions of the elevated rail- 
way and the surface extension in Kansas Cit}^ Kas., trains are run at in- 
ter^^als varying from five to ten minutes, as the travel demands, and the 



76 



Thk Industries op Kansas City. 



time made between the present terminus in Kansas City, Mo., and the 
City Hall of Kansas City, Kas., including stops, is fourteen minutes. 

It will thus be seen that in all the measures adopted to provide means 
for public convenience and comfort, Kansas City is actuated by progressive 



^f ^ fe ' t^Hih 




VIEW OF ELEVATED RAIl,ROAr), NINTH AND MULBERRV STREETS 



ideas and managed in a spirit commensurate with the rapidity of her 
growth in every respecct, and that aJl the municipal regulations of the 
city are upon a scale worth}- of the metropolis of the great Southwest. 



THE WEST SIDE. 



KANSAS CITY, KANSAS, ENJOYING A REMARKABLE GROWTH 
IN POPULATION AND BUSINESS. 



IN all the advantages of position, of centrality and accessibility to the 
sources of supply and markets for the sale of its produdls, Kansas 

City, Kas., has advantages no less great than those of Kansas City, 
Mo. In many respecfts their interests are identical, and the growth of the 
one necessarily acfts as a stinuilus to the prosperity of the other. For a 
number of years Kansas City, Kas., attra^ed little attention save as an 
outlying suburb of the Missouri city, but it has now advanced to such 
a position that it can afford to assert the individuality that belongs to it 
by reason of its location in another State and its possession of a separate 
municipal government. 

A great step in advance was taken in the consolidation of Kansas 
City, Kas., Wyandotte, Armourdale, Armstrong and Rivervnew into one 
city, by which a unity of action in municipal improvements has been ren- 
dered possible, and an impetus given to the expansion of the business ot 
the city. This has been shown in many ways, and notably by the in- 
crease in banking facilities, which were augmented from a total of $109,- 
000 in capital and $521,356 in deposits in 1886, to $430,000 capital and 
$1,072,376 in deposits at the close of 1887, an increase in capital stock of 
nearly 300 per cent., and in deposits of over 100 per cent. The banks of 
the city are the Northrup Bank, the first National Bank of Kansas 
City, Kas., the Savings Bank of Kansas, the Wyandotte National Bank, 
the Armourdale Bank and the Fidelity Savings Bank, the three latter be- 
ing additions made during the year 1887. 

The great pork packing establishments are located in Kansas City, 
Kas., as well as the stock yards, and there has been a large accesion of 
manufaaories during the past twelve months. The population has in- 
creased from 21,229 in 1886, to 35,000 at the present time, while the large 
additions of Edgerton Place and others just lying outside the city Hmits 
contain about 6,000 more, who will probably soon be added to the city by 

an extension of the limits. 

77 



78 The Industries op KIansas City. 

In real estate in Kansas City, Kas., there has been an acftivity no less 
remarkable than that in Kansas City, Mo., the transfers for 1885 having 
amounted to $2,011,461; in 1886 to $8,031,862, and in 1887 to $16,923,916. 
Much of this activity has been in manufacturing sites, many of which 
have been, or are being built upon, and will afford employment for a large 
additional population. An estimate made of the building for 1887 as 
compared with 1886, shows an increase in favor of 1887 amounting to 
$1,130,000. In 1887, 1,740 residences, aggregating a total value of $1,- 
568,000, were built in Kansas City, Kas. ; and $1,150,000 was expended in 
building facflories, and $245,000 in the eredtion of business houses. The 
additions to the manufadturing establishments of the city include two very 
large packing establishments, two large planing-mills, two foundries and 
machine shops, besides a number of smaller manufadlories, while three 
great railway systems established terminal facilities in the city with de- 
pots, round-houses, shops, etc. 

In municipal improvements a great advance was made, and the city 
and county authorities made commendable progress in the grading and 
paving of streets, the construcftion of bridges, sidewalks and culverts and 
in other ways contributing to public convenience. 

In the facilities for local transit Kansas City, Kas., is well supplied, 
the elevated railroad being operated between the city and Kansas City, 
Mo., and cable lines reaching in every diredtion. In business the mer- 
chants and manufadlurers are enjoying a period of prosperity, and an in- 
crease of 25 to 40 per cent, in the principal lines of trade was noted 
during 1887 over the figures for the year previous. 

The city offers great attractions for manufadturing concerns, the Kan- 
sas laws being favorable to corporations and the prices of land lower 
than on the Missouri side of the Kaw. The social advantages of Kansas 
City, Kas., are as good as those of the other city, and an efficient school 
system, numerous churches representing all faiths, and associations for 
instrudlion and amusement abound. Kansas City, Kas., can congratulate 
itself upon the happy condition of affairs, and its increasing prosperity 
gives ample promise that 1 888 will show an advance in all material inter- 
ests even greater than that experienced in 1 887. 




GRAND AVENUE AND NINTH STEET. 



SOCIAL FACTS 



ADVANTAGES OF KANSAS CITY AS A PLACE OF RESIDENCE, 
HEALTH, INSTRUCTION AND RECREATION. 



IN the preceding chapters of this work attention has been called to the 
great advance which has been made in all matters pertaining to the 

business prosperity in the city, and while these material interests are 
important as being the foundation of all urban success, it will, neverthe- 
less, be pertinent to the objedl of this volume to show that in the social 
features of metropolitan life Kansas City is in no sense behind other 
American cities of equal population and advancement. 

The city has the advantage of a temperate and healthy climate, sta- 
tistics showing that its death rate is lower than that of any city of equal 
size in the Union. This is amply shown by the annual report of the 
Health Department, issued by Dr. H. B. Wood, clerk of the Board of 
Health, by which it is demonstrated that the death rate of Kansas City 
per thousand was 11.75, only 2,116 deaths occurring in 1887, out of a 
population of 180,000. By corresponding with the Health Departments 
in other cities. Dr. Wood has compiled the following interesting table 
showing the relative death rates elsewhere : 

DEATH RATE 
CITIES. POPULATION. PER I,000. 

Baltimore 437,000 19.16 

New Orleans 250,000 26.00 

Chicago 760,000 19-56 

New Haven 80 000 17.9 

Rutland 9,000 12.66 

St. Louis 420,000 21.8 

Washington 210,000 22.21 

81 



82 Thu Industries of Kansas City. 



DEATH R.\TE 
CITIES. POPULATION. PER I,000. 

St. Paul 150,000 12.61 

Toledo 73,000 15.21 

Kansas City 180,000 ii-75 

Education.— The public school system of Kansas City embraces 
systematic and enlightened management and a thorough course ot 
instruction. There are twenty-five public schools in the city, twenty- 
two of which are housed in buildings owned by the city, and three in 
rented buildings. In 1887 the number of pupils enrolled amounted to 
13.587, an increase of 1,824, or i3-4 P^r cent, over the number in 1886; 
and the teaching force had been increased 10 per cent, and now com- 
prises 235 teachers. Two new school houses were built during the year, 
the Lathrop, located on Central, between Twelfth and Thirteenth streets, 
costing $35,000; and the Irving, costing $32,000, and located at Twenty- 
Fourth and Prospedl streets. A lot was purchased at the corner of 
Tracy and Pacific avenues, for which $15,000 was paid, and upon which 
another school building will be erecfted during the coming summer, and 
further additions to the number of school houses are contemplated in the 
near future. The valuation of real estate owned by the school distridl is 
$624,000, and of the buildings and improvements, $438,620, making a 
total of $1,062,620. The bonded debt of the schools is $414,500, con- 
sisting of twelve series of bonds, none of which mature before December, 
1892. Everything in connedlion with the schools of Kansas City is 
creditable to the management, and the only drawback is the crowded 
condition of the schools, which has been occasioned by the wonderful 
growth of the city, and which will doubtless be provided for by an aug- 
mentation of the facilities for the accommodation of pupils. In addition 
to the public schools there are several schools connedted with religious 
bodies, as well as private academies and seminaries, which aid greatly in 
making complete the scholastic facilities of the city. 

Closely allied to the school system as a medium for instruction is 
the public library, containing a large coUedlion of all classes of literature, 
and which is well patronized. The additions to the library have taxed 
its capacity, and an endeavor is now being made to remove it from its 
present location at Eighth and Walnut streets to more commodious 
premises. 

Churches.— Over sixty churclies are located in Kansas City, repre- 
senting all shades of faith, and many of the strudtures are among the 
most imposing church buildings in the country. It is one of the most 
gratifying features in the great growth of Kansas City that the need tor 
increased church facilities is appreciated, and the large number of stately 
edifices which are now in course of construdlion evinces the great inter- 



The Industries op Kansas City. 83 

est taken in religious affairs by the people of the city. Reference to 
some of these has been made in a previous portion of this work, and the 
investment of over $600,000 represented by the new strudlures now in 
course of erection, is a substantial evidence of the ladl that the cause of 
religion is not allowed to suffer, but is keeping pace with other interests 
in the expansion of the city's metropolitan facilities and conveniences. 

Societies.— The city is the home of the large number of societies 
usually found in all centers of population, and lodges of Masons, Odd 
Fellows, Knights of Pythias, and other leading secret and benevolent 
societies are numerous. In addition to these there are many societies 
devoted to charity. Among them is conspicuous the Kansas City Provi- 
dent Association, the obje(5l of which is to organize charity and diredt it 
into the proper channel, so as to alleviate all suffering and distress, and 
at the same time to prevent liberal citizens from being imposed on and 
bestowing their charities upon unworthy applicants. It has accomplished 
a large amount of good in pradlically doing away with street begging, 
discouraging indiscriminate alms-giving, and at the same time relieving 
distress where found, or diredting into employment those whose trouble 
arises only from lack of work. This association has been well sustained 
by the citizens, and has been enabled to provide employment for many 
men and women and homes for children, and to furnish clothing, fuel and 
provisions where they would do the most good. 

The Young Men's Christian Association has a flourishing branch in 
this city, and has one of the most imposing of the modern strudlures of 
the city, and here, as in other leading cities, this organization has been of 
great benefit, providing, in addition to its leligious advantages, free read- 
ing rooms, and also supplying at a nominal fee the use of the gymnasium, 
bath rooms, etc. 

Another class of societies which has proven of great benefit in 
enabling many to secure homes, who would otherwise have been com- 
pelled to live in rented premises, is the Building and Loan Associations, 
of which several substantial organizations flourish in the city. These 
associations have proven of great benefit in many of the other large 
cities of the country, and will no doubt be equally as successful here. 

Amusements. — Kansas City has, a number of theatres, among 
which the most prominent are the Warder Grand Opera House, the Gillis 
Opera House, the Coates Opera House and the Ninth Street Theatre. 
At these theatres the leading theatrical and musical attra(5lions of the 
country make regular visits, and the advantages of Kansas City in regard 
to dramatic entertainment are equal to those of any city of the West, as 
the city is included in the routes of all the successful organizations. Of 
the minor places of amusement, such as museums, panoramas and the 
like, the city also has a supply, and whatever the taste of the citizen or 



84 



This Industries of Kansas City. 



visitor for indoor amvisemeut, there is no lack of means for securing its 
gratification. In out-door sports there are the organizations usually incident 
to large cities, and in the national game of base-ball, a club has recently 




THE WARDER GRAND OPERA HOUSE. 

been organized and admitted to the American Association, which, it is 
believed, from the material of which it is composed, will make a good 
record for the city in the season of 1888. 

The Exposition. — The advantages of a properly managed annual 
exposition to a city have been demonstrated by the experience of the 
principal cities of the country, and in order not to be behind in this re- 
spedl, Kansas City has provided herself with an exposition building, 
which is one of the finest strudlures of its kind in the country, and a 
representation of which forms the frontispiece to this book. The site 
occupies the plateau overlooking Kansas City and the adjacent country, 
and is in the midst of the forty acre Holmes tra(?t, situated between 
Twelfth and Fifteenth streets and Kansas and Agnes avenues. The 



The Industriks ok Kansas Citv. 85 

building resembles somewhat a Latin cross on either end, and with two 
wings extending out on both sides from the center. Its greatest length is 
450 feet, its greatest width 255 feet, and its main hall is 310 feet long and 
III feet in width, surmounted by a glass dome 77 feet high. The ground 
floor is 15^ feet in the clear, and the first or principal story, 24 feet in 
the clear. There are tour towers, and the height of the main one is 142 
feet, and here is located the Art hall, which is so arranged that ample 
light is secured for all parts. The ground floor is used for machinery and 
heavy manufadtured articles, and the first floor is devoted to industrial 
and commercial produ(5ls of all kinds, while ths galleries are set apart for 
scientific and educational exhibits, the women's department and all light 
exhibits of ever}- variety. The ground and main floors contain 200,000 
feet of floor space. The National Agricultural Exposition held in this 
building in last September aud Odlober was a great success, and will be 
followed by other annual expositions, which will doubtless continue to 
attra(5t greater numbers from year to ^-ear. 

Domestic Conveniences. — It has been shown in a previous por- 
tion ot this work that the water supply of Kansas City is ample, that its 
means of local transit are complete, and in fa6l better than in any other 
city of its size in the Union, that its rate of taxation is low, that its 
climate is health}' and that every convenience inviting to permanent 
residence exists. It may be said in addition that the city is well lighted, 
there being now 1,140 gas lamps in use, over 6,000 eledlric lights already 
in operation, and that new franchises have been granted, which will add 
greatly to the number of eleClric lights in the city. It may also be added 
that fuel is both plentiful and cheap, the proximity of coal mines making 
the prices much lower than in most Western cities; and in nearly ever}' 
article required for domestic consumption, the prices charged in Kansas 
City compare favorably with those of any city in the West. 

FUTURE PROSPECTS. 

The foregoing chapters are intended to .show the steps in the devel- 
opment of Kansas City from its earliest days to the present, and the won- 
derful strides made by her in all the departments of business, municipal 
and social life ; and to indicate briefly the causes leading to the extraor- 
dinary results made apparent by her recent rapid growth. 

There is every reason to believe that the expansion which is shown 
by the Kansas City of to-day is but the beginning of a much more won- 
derful development in the future. The tendency of population Westward 
has been a marked charadteristic of the history of the American conti- 
nent from an early day to the present, and it is the territory commercially 
tributary to Kansas Cit}' which is to-day attracfting in the largest num- 
bers the attention of those for whom the somewhat over-crowded East 



86 The Industries op Kansas City, 

fails to offer a field sufficiently wide. It is to Kansas, to Nebraska, to 
Colorado, to Northern Texas and the Territories of the West that popu- 
lation is tending in the greatest numbers, and to this list it will doubtless 
soon be necessary to add the Indian Territory, as it is but a matter of a 
few years when lands must be granted to the Indians in severalty and the 
remainder of the Territory be opened to the settler. 

Of all this great territory Kansas City is, and is becoming more em- 
phatically each year, the railroad, the commercial and industrial metro- 
polis. The growth of the Southwest means the growth of Kansas City, 
and it is this indisputable fadl which has led " the wise men of the East," 
the conservative capitalists of New York, Boston, Philadelphia and other 
cities, to invest their millions and to build their business palaces in Kan- 
sas City, assured of a sufficient return for their enterprise in appreciation 
of their propert}^ and a steady rental demand. 

Bountifully endowed with all the advantages of phj' sical availability, 
and having supplemented these by the aids of modern progress so as to 
secure within her limits the centralization ot all that is metropolitan in 
the Southwest, it requires no resort to supernatural means to prophesy, 
without fear of failure of verification, that the Kansas City of 1900 will be 
proportionately as much in advance of the city of to-day, as the latter 
now is to the somewhat unpretentious town which occupied its site 
twenty years ago. 




AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK. 



REPRESENTATIVE HOUSES. 



LEADING MERCHANTS, MANUFACTURERS AND BUSINESS FIRMS 

OF KANSAS CITY. 



THE objedl of this concluding chapter is to^present the history and existing 
status of the principal mercantile, financial and manufadluring corporations 
and firms, whose capital, energy and enterprise have been and are the most 
important factors in the development of the resources and expansion of the trade 
of Kansas City. The houses mentioned are all reliable firms, and whatever the list 
may lack of being complete is not chargeable to any bias on the part of the editor 
or publishers. 



American National Bank.— W. B. Grimes. President; E. E. Parker, Vice- 
President; H. P. Churchill, Second Vice-President; H. P. Stimson, Cashier; M. C. 
Curtis, Assistant Cashier; Seventh and Delaware Streets, Kansas City, Mo. — One 
of the most substantial and prominent of the banking corporations of the West is 
the American National Bank, which was organized in 1886, and which has since 
that time enjoyed a large and aAive business. The statement of the condition of 
this bank made at the close of business on the 30th day of September, 1887, showed 
that the bank had, in addition to its capital stock paid in of $1,250,000, a surplus 
of $25,000 and undivided profits of $51,546.53, The total resources of the bank at 
that time amounted to $3,571,514.31, including loans and discounts of $2,483,820.04, 
and cash and sight exchaage amounting to $1,006,637.14. A general banking busi- 
ness in all its branches is transacted, and the bank holds a high place in the confi- 
dence of the business and general public ; and this prominence is largely due to 
the substantial charaAer of the gentlemen composing its offieers and diredlors. 
Mr. W. B. Grimes, the President of thebank, is the well-known head of the great 
dry goods firm of the Wm. B. Grimes Wholesale Dry Goods Co., and largely identi- 
fied with other prominent enterprises here, as well as in important cattle interests in 
Indian Territory and Texas. Mr. Parker, the Vice-President of the bank, is also 
prominently connected with important business concerns, and is a banker of ex- 
perience, having formerly been engaged in banking enterprises in Kansas. Mr. H. 
P. Churchill, the Second Vice-President, is the President of the Kansas City Safe 
Deposit and Savings Bank, and otherwise prominent in business affairs, and Mr. H. 
P. Stimson, the Cashier, is thoroughly practical in all the details of the banking 
business, having been formerly engaged in banking in Kansas, and he has largely 
aided by his efiiciency in securing the gratifying condition of the business of the 
bank shown by its recent report. The directors are all leading business men of 
Kansas City, and the Board is made up of the following gentlemen; T. B. Bullene, 
H. P. Churchill, W. B. Grimes, H. P. Stimson, W. P. Moores, E. E. Parker, A. Drumm, 
M. C. Curtis, J. I. Reynolds, W. P. Rice, A. Brockett and Jno. C. Avery. 

89 



90 Thej Industries op Kansas City. 



The McCord & Nave Mercantile Company. — Wholesale Grocers ; 
Corner of Union Avenue and Sante Fe Street, Kansas City, Mo. 

Armour Packing Co. — Pork and Beef Packing; Kansas City, Kansas. — 
Kansas City has the advantage of a position in the heart of the great corn aad hog 
producing regions of the United States, and contiguous to the vast cattle ranges 
of the great West, is also possessed of transportation facilities by rail and water 
ways superior to any point west of the Mississippi River, and has live stock mar- 
ket advantages far exceeding any inland city on the continent. The Armour Pack- 
ing Co., with a keen commercial foresight, recognized that fact, and wisely seledled 
this spot as a distributing point for their produdl, which has grown to colossal 
proportions. The gentlemen constituting the firm are Messrs. S. B., P. D., H. 
O., A. W., K. B. and C. W. Armour, all business men of high personal worth and 
commercial standing. The enterprise was founded in 1870, under the firm name 
of Plankinton & Armour. The business at the outset was condudled upon a some- 
what limited scale , but as the trade increased the rapid development of their busi- 
ness facilities kept pace with the demand made from all parts of the country upon 
the resources of this gigantic concern. At present upwards of $1,000,000 is involved 
in the enterprise. The packing houses, slaughter pens, etc., are immense five and 
six-story structures, and, including hog and cattle pens, cover an area of over six 
acres of ground. Additions are being made from time to time to meet the de- 
mands of a rapidly increasing trade. The entire premises are completely equipped 
with every essential modern machine, appliance and convenience for the proper 
and expeditious execution of the work. Upwards of ten thousand hogs and one 
thousand cattle can be daily disposed of. A force of one thousand seven hundred 
men are given employment the year round, with an aggregate pay-roll of $767,715 
annually. The trade territory of this mammoth establishment covers the whole 
United States, and extends to Mexico, the South American States, British America 
and Europe, and amounts to $15,000,000 annually. The reputation of these pro- 
ducts is not excelled by any other similar industry in the world, and it is the pride 
of this great and honorable house to perpetuate and maintain their record for hon- 
est business methods in all their transactions. The company has similar establish- 
ments in Chicago, 111., and large warehouses in New York; city to facilitate their 
immense foreign trade. 

Ridenour, Baker & Co. — Wholesale Grocers; Corner of St. Louis Avenue 
and Mulberry Street. — The most important interests in the wholesale and jobbing 
line are subserved and conspicuously represented by the great house of Ridenour, 
Baker & Co., which had its inception in 1878, through a consolidation at this point 
of four enterprising firms, located in various parts of the State of Kansas, namely : 
Messrs. P. D. Ridenour and H. W. Baker, in business at Lawrence ; Mr. A. A. Baker, 
at Eniporia; Mr. Sam. Ridenour, at Chanute, and Mr. E. P. Baker falling into line 
from Topeka, Kas. A more harmonious and substantial association of business 
men of experience and sagacity could not be found in any community. Combining 
a thorough understanding of the necessities of the Western trade generally, these 
gentlemen, with commendable wisdom, concluded to affiliate their individual inter- 
ests in order to reach the acme of a perfedl system, whereby a vast and constantly 
growing trade territory might be abundantly supplied with the necessaries of life 
at living prices. On March i, 1887, the firm was duly incorporated with Messrs. H. 
W. Baker, as President, P. D. Ridenour, Vice-President, and by the accession of Mr. 
E. D. Brackett as Secretary and Treasurer, (ex- officio.) The stockholders in this 
company, including the officers, are all residents of this city except Mr. E. P. 
Baker, who resides at Topeka, Kas., from whence he occasionally makes trips 
through the company's trade territory in the interest of the business generally and 
with a view specially to the encouragement and extension of trade into new fields. 
The capital involved in this corporate organization is $350,000, and the annual trade 
amounts up in the millions, covering the State of Kansas and extending into the 
West and Southwest, also Eastward into the State of Missouri. A force of sixty men is 
employed, eighteen of whom take care of the interests of the house on the road. 
This company deal invariably diredl with the producers, handling all goods at first 
hands. Their connedlions with Eastern and foreign markets are superior and 
their intimate acquaintance with the requirements of the Western trade, enables 
the company to carry in stock such goods as are suitable for this market. An 



Thk Industries of Kansas City. 91 



experience of thirty years backs the high commercial standing of most of the 
members of this association. Their record is at the pinnacle of Western enterprise — 
they have but few peers in their line in the United States. Their premises con- 
sists of one of the most eligibly located and convenient business buildings in 
Kansas City, their position being diredlly accessible to every line of railroad cen- 
tering here, switches running direAly through and into their buildings. This 
model establishment, in a word, has the very best facilities for the receipt, ship- 
ment and storage ot goods. Their extensive warehouses, three and four stories in 
height, with basements, cover eight city lots, each 25x125 feet in area, and are 
completely fitted up with elevators and every other modern convenience for the 
expeditious transfer and handling of goods to and from the railroad lines. This is 
truly a representative house in every particular. Its success is due to consummate 
skill in the direction of its affairs and the adoption of correcfl business methods in 
all its dealings. An ample capital has enabled this company to push their trade 
into territory that heretofore was claimed by St. lyouis and Chicago, and thus 
extend the influence and operations of the business of this city generally, and open 
up new fields for other commercial and industrial interests of Kansas City. 

Union Investment Company. — Capital $1,000,000 fully paid in; w. p. 
Rice, President; H. P. Stinson, Vice-President; O. F. Page, Secretary and Treas- 
urer; Room No. 2, First Floor, Alamo Building; Corner of Seventh and Delaware 
Streets. — This association was organized and established March 16, 1887, by the 
present company with a capital stock of $300,000, which was increased to $,1,000,000, 
September 15, 1887. The company is engaged in a general investment business, 
buy and sell bonds, loan money on collateral, deal in commercial and short-time 
paper, adl as agents for the purchase and sale of real estate, and loan money on 
farms in the West. The managers of this company own one-fourth of the capital 
stock, and their personal interest requires that very careful supervision be had of 
their business. They have had a long and very successful experience in this kind 
of business ; that, together with an extensive acquaintance of long standing among 
leading business men and financial institutions of the West and also of the East, 
has induced an almost phenomenal success in their present undertaking. They find 
the out-look of the present year exceedingly bright, the demand for good prop- 
erties being very adlive, and they are doing a very large business in the investment 
of money for capitalists. Their trades are principally located in Missouri and Kan- 
sas. The business and good will of the Security Investment Co., of Cawker City, 
Kas., which company has been doing a large loan trade on farming property for 
several years with a capital of $250,000, has been purchased and will hereafter be 
controlled by this association. Mr. W. P. Rice, the President, is a native of Maine, 
but has been a resident of Kansas City about two years. He was formerly Vice- 
President of the American National Bank from the time of its organization until 
last March, when he became a member of this association ; yet remaining a large 
stockholder in the American National. Mr. H. P. Stinson is a native of Vermont, 
and has resided here many years. He was formerly cashier of the Kansas City 
Safe Deposit and Savings Bank, and is at present cashier of the American National 
Bank. Mr. O. F. Page is a native of Maine, and has resided in Kansas City since 
October i, 1887. He was for a number of years Treasurer of the Biddeford Savings 
Bank, Biddeford, Maine. 

Merchants' National Bank.— W. B. Clarke, President ; C. S.Wheeler, 
Vice-President ; O. P. Dickinson, Second Vice-President ; G. W. McKnight, Cash- 
ier ; Corner of Missouri Avenue and Delaware Street. — Perhaps no financial insti- 
tution in this city has been more intimately connecfled with the interests of the 
community, or had a more uniformly successful career, than the Merchants' Na- 
tional Bank. This institution was established and incorporated in 1879, with a 
capital of $250,000, and in 1881 increased its capital to $500,000, and it now has a 
surplus of $40,000, and deposits to the amount of $1,000,000. It now employs fifteen 
clerks, and is doing an extensive business. It receives deposits, makes loans on 
good mortgages, discounts notes, purchases bonds and deals in foreign and domes- 
tic exchange. It is the oldest National Bank in the city, and its extensive business 
transactions, conducted with an eye-single to the best interests of all concerned, 
have given it a character, at home and abroad, that may well be envied by any simi- 
lar institution. Mr. W. B. Clarke, President, is a native of Cleveland, O.; was for 



92 Thk Industries of Kansas City. 



nearly twenty years engaged in the banking business at Abilene, Kas., and founded 
the banking house of W. B. Clarke, Junction City, Kas., which has been succeeded 
by the First National Bank, Junction City, of which Mr. Clarke is still President. 
He has betn interested in Kansas City, through investments, since 1880, and has 
been a resident here since 1886, when he was chosen President of the Merchants' 
National Bank, which position he has filled since with great honor to himself and 
the institution he represents. He was at one time a large stockholder and Presi- 
dent of the Missouri and Kansas Telephone Co. Mr. Wheeler, Vice-President, is 
not an active officer of this institution, but is a member of the extensive whole- 
sale hardware house of Bradley, Wheeler & Co., in this city. Mr. Dickinson, Second 
Vice-President, has been connected with this bank for nearly six years, most of the 
time as Cashier, and a large portion of the time its business manager. He is 
Treasurer of the Grand Avenue Cable Railroad Co., of the Kansas City Club, and 
of various other corporations, benevolent and commercial. Mr. G. W. McKnight, 
the Cashier, has been connedled with the President of this bank, in his Kansas 
banks, as Cashier and Manager, for nearly twenty years. He is a very pble financier, 
and thoroughly conversant with banking in all its branches. He hailj from Cleve- 
land, O., and came to Kansas City with Mr. W. B. Clarke, the President. The other 
members of the directory of this bank are well and favorably known in business 
circles, the board comprising Messrs. John Long, ol Long Bros., wholesale grocers ; 
W. A. M. Vaughn, retired capitalist ; John C. Gage, member of the law firm of Gage, 
Ladd & Small; J. M. Coborn, of Coborn & Ewing, real estate dealers; Walter H. 
Holmes, President Grand Avenue Railroad Co., and* A. A. Tomlinson, a retired at- 
torney. 

The Kansas City Stock Yards Company.— C. F. Morse, General 
Manager ; E. E. Richardson, Secretary and Treasurer ; H. P. Child, Superinten- 
dent; C. P. Patteson, Traveling Agent; Location, Sixteenth and Bell Streets. — 
There is much that is of more than ordinary interest in the history of the rise and 
progress of this great Midland City. Its development in all the various branches 
of industrial pursuit has been wonderful indeed, but great as has been the advance- 
ment of the city in all its enterprises, in no diredlion has its growth been so 
marked and of svifh importance as in its stock yard and packing house interests, 
which have done more than everything else to give the city its great commercial 
importance. The Kansas City Stock Yards were established in 1871, and are, 
to-day, regarded by the business men of the country as an organization of the 
greatest importance, protedling and enhancing the interests of its patrons, as well 
as elevating the standing of the live stock marfe<ets of the country gener- 
ally. Owing to the centering of the entire system of the great Western railways in 
Kansas City, and its location as the great gate to the vast grazing plains of the 
West, these yards are rapidly approaching that point of development where they 
will be recognized as the largest stock market in the world. For, not only is this 
city the natural outlet for the trade of the West, but will be, in the near future, 
beyond all comparison the most available market for all Southwestern cattle, 
because of the direct and easy access Texas and New Mexico have to it, now that 
the new railroad lines through the Indian Territory are completed. Cattle will 
not be shipped to distant Chicago when as good a market can be found so much 
nearer home, and these air line extensions into Texas will bring Kansas City to 
first place as a market for the hundreds of thousands of cattle that have heretofore 
gone direcft to St. Louis and Chicago. A new bridge connedls the west and east 
side yards, and will greatly facilitate the sale and transfer of stock, and is a vital 
necessity in view of tbe new and important packing interests west of the Kaw. 
There are eight packing houses in Kansas City, with a total capacity and demand 
of 3,300 cattle and 27,200 hogs daily. These, with the regular attendance of sharp 
competitive buyers for all other markets of the North and East, insure higher 
prices to tbe producer than can be realized in any other market in the Missouri 
Valley. The management will, in the future as in the past, take all possible pre- 
cautions and measures to protect the feeding and stock cattle from infedlion, by 
coming into conta<$l with Southern cattle during the dangerous season, yet will, at 
the same time, be prepared to do justice to the cattle coming from south of the 
danger line. The Stock Yards Co. have enlarged and improved the Exchange 
buildii g with a south extension. The basement contains eight office rooms; the 
first floor comprises an Exchange hall, a large vault and suitable offices for the 



The Industries op Kansas City. 



93 



■company, while the second and third floors have each thirteen fine office rooms. 
On the corner of Seventeenth and Bell streets the company have eredled a hand- 
some two story brick stable, 150x125 feet, and capable of accommodating 250 horses 
and carriages. The receipts of stock at these yards for 1887 were as follows: 
Cattle, 669,224 head, an increase of 178,253; hogs, 2,423,262 head, an increase of 
158,778; sheep, 209,956 head, an increase of 37,297 ; horses and mules, 29,690 head, 
a decrease of 3,498. And the value of this stock received for the year approximates 
$55,000,000. The large increase in the receipts for 1887 over those of 1886 in every- 
thing except horses and mules is a very flattering indication of the future growth 
of the market. The decrease in horses and mules is due not to light receipts the 
past year, but rather to very heavy shipments in 1886 of small Texas mules and 
ponies, and large herds of unbroken horses from the Western ranges. These were 
marketed far in excess of the demand, and owners, as a rule, lost heavily ; as a con- 
sequence during 1887 there were pradlically no receipts of horses, ponies or mules 
from these sources. 

Lawrence Investment Company, of Lawrence, Kansas.— Theo S. 
Case, President ; E. F. Rogers, Vice-President ; L. G. A. Copley, Secretary ; George 




Leis, Treasurer; Main Office, Lawrence, Kas ; Branch Office, 127 West Sixth 
Street, Kansas City, Mo.— This reputable association was organized and duly 
incorporated March 28, 1887, having a paid-up capital of $25,000 and a surplus of 
$10,000, its purpose being, the buying, selling and exchanging of real property. 
The negotiation of conservative mortgage loans for large or small amounts, is 
another special feature of this company's business, and in this connexion it is pre- 
pared to off"er the most liberal inducements and satisfa6lory terms. The officers of 
this company are thoroughly conversant with all the details of the real estate busi- 
ness, including their familiarity with present and prospedlive values in real prop- 
erty throughout the West. The exercise of the greatest care in the execution of 
all commissions entrusted to them is charadleristic of this association ; thus giving 
their Eastern correspondents the assurance of reliability and efficiency. This com- 
pany deals principally in Kansas City and Lawrence, Kas., real estate, and are 
steadily extending their business throughout Missouri and Kansas. They own 



94 Thk Industries of Kansas City. 



University Place, at Lawrence, Kas., embracing forty acres, which is subdivided 
into lots 50 X 132 feet in area, admirably adapted for residence purposes, and is 
now on the market. This property is beautifully and eligibly located, shaded with 
native forest trees, and the streets are all graded. The University building, from 
which the addition takes its name, is adjacent, and is the State University of Kan- 
sas, prominent among Western educational institutions, and second to none West 
of the University of Michigan. It is a magnificent stru6ture, where the higher 
educational branches are taught, and is illustrated by the cut which appears at the 
head of this sketcrrP. This locality is also easy of access by rail to Kansas City. 
About an hour's ride over the Union Pacific, Santa Fe, or Rock Island routes, 
conveys the visitor and the resident merchant or trader to or from our Western 
metropolis. Col. Theo. S. Case, the presiding genius of this concern, is too well and 
favorably known to this community to require more than a brief summary of his 
familiar record of usefulness. As a citizen of sterling popularity and worth, he 
stands pre-eminent ; as a soldier, among the brave, the bravest ; as a writer, a his- 
torian and statistician of more than ordinary repute; having compiled valuable 
statistical re^news of Kansas City's wonderful commercial and industrial growth ; and 
he has now in preparation, and soon to be published, one of the most comprehen- 
sive histories of our Western metropolis yet offered to the public. His associates 
in ofi&ce, Capt. E. F. Rogers and Messrs. h. G. A. Copley and George Leis are all 
business men of high commercial standing and public spirited citizens ; all are old 
residents of Kansas City except Mr. Leis, whose home is at Lawrence, Kas., where 
he conducfls an extensive drug business. He is the organizer and promoter of the 
Leis Chemical Manufadluring Co. of that place. He has, however, sold out his in- 
terest in that enterprise. Col. Rogers is one of Kansas City's pioneer citizens, having 
witnessed its phenomenal growth for upwards of one quarter of a century. He is a 
native of Shelby County, Ky. At an early age he went with his parents to Indiana, 
where he was educated, and on arriving at manhood's estate, he came to Cass County, 
this State. At the breaking out of the civil war he entered the service of the Union 
as a private soldier. In an engagement with the enemy at Lone Jack, Mo., he was 
severely wounded while on staff duty and was sent to hospital at Kansas City. Par- 
tially recovering, he was mustered out of the service, and engaged in the wholesale 
and retail grocery business in this city. He has always been an adlive participant 
in every measure for the advancement of commercial enterprises in his adopted 
city. He served one term in the City Council, and he was appointed U. S. Assessor 
of internal revenue. He is now and always has been an adlive and an ardent 
member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Copley hails from our sister State of Kansas, 
where he had for a number years been closely identified with educational matters 
of the State, holding the position of Principal of the Clay Centre and Wichita, Kas., 
schools, and other public places of trust in the department of education with high 
honor and credit for his ability and efficiency as an educator. The two last named 
gentlemen are engaged at present in the real estate business under the firmj^name 
of Rogers & Copley, whose office is the branch office of this company. 

Martin, Perrin & Co. — Importers and Wholesale Liquor Dealers and Dis- 
tillers ; 300 and 302 West Sixth Street. — Among the important wholesale houses of 
Kansas City, that of Maitin, Perrin & Co. occupies a prominent place as one of the 
leading houses in the West engaged as importers and wholesalers of foreign and 
domestic liquors, wines, etc. The business was established in 1868 by Messrs. E. L. 
Martin and J. A. Lockridge, under the style of E. L. Martin & Co., and on the re- 
tirement of Mr. Lockridge, in 1870, Mr. C. G. Perrin became a member of the firm, 
the old style being retained until January, 1887, when, upon the admission of Mr. 
T. E. Gaines, who has been connedled with the firm since 1881, it assumed its pres- 
ent style. They are large diredl importers of every description of French and 
English brandies, Holland gins, Irish and Scotch whiskies, and all kinds of im- 
ported liquors, cordials, etc., as well as the finest brands of champagnes, ports, 
sherries, Rhine wines, etc., and are very large dealers in the finest brands of Bour- 
bon and rye whiskies, and are proprietors of the celebrated Crystal Spring Distil- 
lery at Independence, Mo. They occupy a spacious four- story and basement build- 
ing, completely stocked with full lines of every description of goods usually carried 
by large wholesale liquor houses, and give employment to twenty clerks and assist- 
ants, while six traveling salesmen represent them in a territory embracing Mis- 
souri, Kansas, Nebraska,' Texas, Colorado, Arizona,^Utah, Montana and Wyoming, 



The Industries of Kansas City. 95 



throughout which States and Territories the firm has a first class reputation for 
the superior selection of its stock and the uniform fairness and accuracy with 
which its business is conducted. The members of the firm are prominent and 
siibstantial citizens, Mr. Martin being, in addition to his position as the senior 
member of this firm, President and controller of the Kansas City Distillery, Pres- 
ident of the Pacific Mutual Telegraph Co., and of the Home Signal Telegraph Co., 
and is also largely interested in mining operations, at Randolph, Mo., and otherwise 
identified with prominent business enterprises. Mr. Perrin is ^o prominent in 
business affairs, and was one of the organizers and incorpor^lrs, and is Vice- 
President, of the Benefit Building and Loan Association of Kansas City, with a 
capital stock of $500,000. All the members of the firm have a thorough and prac- 
tical knowledge of the details of this business and an extensive acquaintance with 
the trade, and the business has steadily grown from its inception to the present 
time, until it now occupies a position as one of the largest stridtly jobbing houses 
in this branch of industry in the United States. 

Lombard Investment Company.— E. Lombard, jr., President; James 
L. Lombard, Vice-President and Manager; Lewis Lombard, Second Vice-President ; 
Wm. McGeorge, Jr., Third Vice-President ; Wm. A. Lombard, Secretary; H. W. L. 
Russell, Auditor; John W. Gish, Superintendent Country Department; George 
W. Mathews, Superintendent Kansas City Department; Ofiices — 13 Sears Building, 
Boston, Massachusetts, and Kansas City, Missouri ; Agencies — Philadelphia, New 
York City, London, England, and Edinburgh, Scotland. — This association was incor- 
porated in October, 1882. The business of the company is the loaning of money, 
secured by first mortgage on improved farms and city property, and its operations 
extend over the States of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. There is no doubt 
that mortgage companies have been very important facflors in developing the West. 
They have enabled the West to become at least twenty years advanced because of 
cheap money which they have loaned farmers, for had the farmers been obliged to 
rely upon the home supply for capital they would never have been able to make the 
improvements, and without improvements emigration would not have come in. 
The Messrs. Lombard have been instrumental in lowering the rates of interest to 
probably the greatest extent of any of the capitalists who have identified them- 
selves with Kansas City. Having ofiices at the East, they, through their agents 
and officers, come in direcft contacft with capitalists, and are better able to explain 
in person the security throughout the West which is offered for loans than 
though they were obliged to write letters or to induce Eastern capitalists to come 
here before explaining to them the Western securities. The Lombard Invest- 
ment Co. has upwards of 350 stockholders. This list has not been obtained in one 
year's growth, but the number of stockholders has increased with each year, and 
there is probably no finer list of stockholders to be found in any Eastern corpora- 
tion. This gives the company high credit and great influence. The Lombards, 
originally coming from the East, have made their money in the West, and those 
of the Lombards living in the East are better able to explain concerning the secu- 
rity offered in the West than though they had not had a long experience in deal- 
ing in Western real estate securities. TheState of Missouri has been very greatly 
benefited by their identification with it. For many years it was extremely difii- 
cult to sell a Missouri mortgage loan. People at the East looked with great mis- 
trust on Missouri securities of every kind. It was up-hill work, but finally the 
Lombards, by stating their favorable experience concerning the State, and giving 
the reasons why they considered mortgage loans as good, if not the best securities 
offered in the West, have been able to make them extremely popular at the East. 
This has induced many who started with mortgage loans to eventually invest in 
real estate in Missouri, and some, also, have invested in real estate and purchased 
mortgage loans, and having found the investment satisfactory have moved here 
and made it their home. It can thus be seen what an infiuence this compauA^ and 
its management have exerted towards Kansas City, and how much they have ben- 
efited and assisted it in its present prosperity. The Lombard Investment Co. has 
done a large business, but the size of its business has not been because it has 
loaned a larger percentage of the value of real estate which was offered as securit}% 
but because it has closed its loans promptly, and has been able to render a prompt 
decision, whether it declined or accepted a loan. The management pride them- 
selves on their extreme conservatism, not only as a company but individually. As 



96 Th:^ Industries of Kansas City. 



a company it holds a reserve amounting to upwards of $300,000 of cash securities, 
which could be realized on within an hour's notice. Individually the Messrs. Lom- 
bards are large owners of bank stock and other financial institutions through the 
West. Among the banks in which they are interested as stockholders may be ncted 
the following : National Bank of America, Chicago ; Capital National Bank, Lin- 
coln, Neb.; First National Bank, Galesburg, 111.; First National Bank, Creston, la.; 
First National Bank, Humboldt, Neb.; First National Bank, Auburn, Neb.; First 
National Bank, Tur ned, Kas.; First National Bank, Lincoln, Kas., State National 
Bank, Wichita, fts.; and the First National Bank, Kansas City. This company is 
known to be the most thorough and particular in regard to its inspections of real 
estate and the examination of its titles of any of the companies doing business in 
this line. It examines, by its special inspedlors, every tradt of land on which a 
loan is desired. It very rarely lends over 33 per cent, of the real value of 
the property. The expense of making these examinations can be realized more 
clearly when it is known that it costs this company $150,000 a year to make such 
inspections. Were the loans less carefully made this expense could be very mate- 
rially reduced, but its managers feel that it would be saving money at the risk of 
safety. The managers of this company are extremely conservative business men 
in their individual capacities, and their motto is to pay as thay go, and never buy 
anything until they have the money to pay for it. The capital stock of the Lom- 
bard Investment Co. is $1,000,000, with a surplus of $500,000. It is the policy of 
the company to increase its surplus each year, thus retaining its position as the 
largest and strongest company in this line of business. 

George Fowler & Son. — Successors to Anglo-American Packing and 
Provision Company ; Beef and Pork Packers, and Lard Refiners, Kansas City, Kas. 
— This extensive meat packing industry is characteristic and representative of the 
phenomenal progress made in the live stock trade of the Gate City of the great 
West. The packing and slaughter houses and pens of this mammoth estab- 
lishment cover an area of fifteen acres, the capacity of the works being upwards ot 
5,000 hogs and 200 cattle per diem, and employs a force of 1,200 hands during the 
busy season. The special feature of the business of this house is the cutting, 
preparation and curing of meats for the European markets, most of which are 
consigned to England. The produdts of this house are of a superior grade by 
reason of the careful attention given to their preparation, which has resulted in 
overcoming the usual prejudice that exists at home and abroad against cured and 
packed meats. As a consequence the produdt of this establishment has attained a 
very high reputation for healthfulness and excellence wherever it has obtained a 
market, and is greatly in demand. The premises are conveniently located at the 
junction of the Kaw and Missouri rivers, within easy access to railway and water 
transportation, and completely equipped with every essential modern machine, 
appliance and convenience for the proper and expeditious prosecution of the work. 
Mr. George Fowler, the head of this vast concern, is eminently qualified both by 
experience and commercial sagacity for the condudt of its affairs. A competent 
corps of assistants are assigned to each department, who are thoroughly conversant 
with every detail of the work under their supervision, a perfecfl system prevailing 
in each department. 

The Fidelity Investment Company.^ames D. Husted, President; 
Thomas H. Rowland, Secretary and Treasurer ; Real Estate and Loans ; First Na- 
tional Bank Building; Kansas City, Kas. — This business was established in 1882, as 
the Kansas-Missouri Loan and Trust Company, changing to its present style in April, 
1887, when the present company was incorporated with a capital stock of $ 100,000. The 
company constitutes one of the best and safest mediums for the profitable invest- 
ment of capital, and enjoys a large palronage from local and outside capitalists, and 
negotiates first mortgage real estate loans upon property in this secflion, and as a 
consequence of its superior CO unedlions and facilities is prepared to transact this 
business in the most efficient and advantageous manner. Mr. James D. Husted, 
who has resided in Kansas City, Kas., for the past ten years, has throughout that 
time been prominently identified with the real estate interests of the city, and 
is a gentleman of large resources and superior experience and judgment in this 
special department of business. Mr. Rowland, the Secretary and Treasurer of the 
company, who has charge of the details of the loan department, is a gentleman ot 



The Industries of Kansas City. 



97 




business training, and brings to the prosecution of his duties first-class attainments, 
Mr. J. D. Husted is engaged as a real estate agent, and attends to every department 
of that business, owning a number of additions, and a considerable amount ©f city 
property. The company does a large business and is a leading favorite with 
investors. 

Hall & Willis Hardware Company.— T. E.Willis, President; W. A. 
Hall, Vice-President; Selby Joiicjs, Secretary and Treasurer; Corner of St. L,ouis 

Avenue and Santa Fe Street. — To the 
distant reader or to the merchant who 
carries on his trade many miles from 
the Midland City, the most striking 
illustration of the standing of any 
house is a simple statement of their 
relations in trade circles as regards 
their facilities and adlual output. It 
is a widel)' known and undisputed fa<5l 
that the Hall and Willis Hardware Com- 
pany occupy a more conspicuous place 
in this particular line than any other 
house of Kansas City. This enviable 
position has been gained by the hon- 
orable and intelligent efforts put forth 
by the individual members of the firm 
who are intimately identified with 
many other foremost industries here, and who have figured prominently in the 
growth and material development of Kansas City. It is an essential element in the 
growth of our city that she has luckily had a wholesome number of just such zeal- 
ous, liberal and enterprising business men, and the commercial success accorded 
them is but the impartial reward of justice. The Hall and Willis Hardware Co. 
was founded in 1879, by James L. Kelley, T. F. Willis and Selby Jones. Two 
years later they were incorporated under the present style, with a capital stock of 
$200,000. Forty-five men, constituting their force of employes, now receive an 
annual pay-roll averaging $70,000, and the trade, which touches nearly all portions 
of Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Old and New Mexico, Arizona, Missouri and Texas, 
reaches the sum of |t,ooo,ooo annually. T. F. Willis was born in Kentucky. For a 
time he lived in Missouri, afterwards removing to Sherman Texas, and finally he 
took up his residence here in 1879. He is, in addition to his interest in this firm, a 
diredlor in the Bank of Kansas City. W. H. Hall is a Philadelphian by birth. He 
went to New York City in 1833, and to Wheeling, W. Va., in 1850, where he was in 
the hardware business for twenty-three }'ears as a member of the firm of Ott, Hall, 
& Co. In 1881 he removed to this city and entered the present firm. Selby Jones 
is from Wheeling. W. Va. Up to 1879 he was connected with the Baltimore and 
Ohio Railroad, but in that year he came to Kansas City, and with his associates, 
established business. The facilities of this house meet the requirements in 
every particular and are all that could be expe6led from a modern, American insti- 
tution of this magnitude. The main building is a five-story and basement struAure, 
114 X 124 feet in dimensions, comprising over 90,000 square feet of floor space. Rail- 
road tracks conveniently laid at the front and side doors to accommodate the vast 
shipments. Three elevators are in almost constant use, and in fadl the entire 
building is equipped with every aid to the prosecution of the business. The situ- 
ation of this establishment is in the heart of the business center of the city and 
the building is rendered fire proof by its fire shutters and general construdlion. 

T. A. Harris & Wilson.— Dealers in Real Estate, Investors of Capital 
and Mortgage Bond Brokers ; Times Building ; 812 Main Street.^The unprecedented 
adlivity in real estate transadlions in Kansas City, and the many important deals 
which have been condudled, have given the city a special prominence and employed 
the services of a number of real estate men of superior attainments. Among the 
firms engaged in this business in this city none have exerted a greater influence in 
attradling the attention of capitalists to the many advantages possessed by Kansas 
- City, and noue have had a larger share in the important transacftions of the recent 
past than the firm of T. A. Harris & Wilson, composed of Messrs. Thomas A. Harris 



The Industries op Kansas City. 



and William S. Wilson. They handle to a very large extent their own property, 
which is valued at about $350,000, exclusive of property owned by syndicates in 
which they are largely interested. Messrs. Harris and Wilson were the organizers 
of the Holy Rood and Minnie G. Wilson Place additions to Kansas City, the former 
adjoining Pendleton Heights, and the latter in the northeast portion of the city, 
and they also own a controlling interest in the McKinney Heights and Belgravia 
additions, organized by a syndicate. They have on hand at all times a large amount 
of the most valuable business locations and residence property in the city and 
suburbs, as well as a considerable amount of property throughout this sedlion, and 
are largely engaged as investors of capital for prominent capitalists of the East, and 
are at all times prepared to place money on first-class mortgage bonds, securing the 
largest amount of interest obtainable for safe investments in this country. Capt. T. 
A. Harris, of this firm, is of Irish nativity, and came to this country at the age of thir- 
teeen years in 1858, settling in New York City, where he found employment as 
ofiice boy in a cotton house, shortly afterward going to New Orleans, where he 
remained until the war broke out, when he joined the Washington Artillery and 
served through the war, at one time commanding a cavalry company. After the 
surrender he went to Europe and spent ten years in the mercantile business in 
London, at the end of that time returning to this country, when he came West and 
engaged in railroad building, coming to Kansas City four years ago, when he 
began investing in real estate. Capt. Harris is justly regarded as one of the most 
prominent and substantial citizens, and is President of the National Agricultural 
Exposition, he and Mr. AVilson organizing the present company. It is said that 
this enterprise would have been a failure but for Messrs. Harris and Wilson, the 
party inaugurating it having carried it to the limit of his means before it was hah 
completed. He laid the fadts before Messrs Harris and Wilson, and they organized 
a corporation with a paid up capital of $:oo,coo, and purchased it. Mr. Wilson, who 
is aKentuckian, graduated at Center College at Danville, class of '66, and the fol- 
lowing year went to Louisville and began reading law under Mr. John M. Harlan, 
now Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. Wilson 
practiced law for a short time and then went into journalism, becoming the Presi- 
dent of the company that published the Louisville Daily Commercial. In January, 
188 [, he was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue, for the Louisville distrio:, 
one of the most important federal offices in the State, which he managed to the 
satisfaAion alike of Democrats and Republicans ; and it is a matter of record, that, 
altough he was the youngest revenue collector in the United States, yet when the 
expert examiner came to transfer the ofl&ce at the close of his term to his 
successor, he declared in his official report, that in all his thirteen years- of official 
experience, he had never transferred an oflBce with such easy facility before, so 
perfe(fl was the working order of its machinery under Wilson's management. Soon 
after this he came to Kansas City and began investing in real estate. Since this 
firm was formed it has been remarkably successful in securing the best results for 
those employing its services, and no patron of the firm has ever lost a dollar by 
any investment made by the advice of the firm, while a large number have been 
substantially profited. The commanding position obtained by the firm is the 
result of superior ability, close attention, perfedl system and the highest integrity 
in all dealings. 

F. B. Hamilton.^ — ArchitecSl, Room 61, Sheidley Building,'Corner of Ninth 
and Main Streets. — Builders would build but sorry and unsubstantial strudlures 
without the designing and constru6tive skill of the architedl to give their buildings 
strength and beauty. In a fast growing city like this, archite<fts of ability, experience 
and integrity, are perhaps the most important class of business men, for the sub- 
stantial building of the city, and, to a great extent, the conservation of its wealth, to 
say nothing of its strudlural beauty, lies in their hands Kansas City is fortunate 
in possessing some eminent architecfts, and notable among these is Mr. F. B. 
Hamilton, who has spent twenty-two years in his profession, twelve of which have 
been in Chicago, and nine in Kansas City. Many^ towns in Missouri and Kansas 
possess substantial evidences of his taste and skill, while in Kansas City many of 
the most stately and substantial business buildings and beautiful dwellings which 
grace her streets and avenues are among his works. Mr. Haaiilton formerly be- 
longed to the firm of Dixon & Hamilton, architedts, Chicago, and built many of the 
finest buildings eredted there during his residence in that city. 




COMMONWEAI^TH BUILDING. 



The Industries op Kansas City. ioi 



The Commonwealth Loan and Trust Company, established its 
oflfice in this city in February, 1887, and immediately commenced doing a large 
loan business. The promoters and stockholders of this company number many of 
the prominent banking institutions and capitalists of Boston and other cities in 
New England, who organized the company for the purpose of obtaining through it 
ioT themselves and their numerous clients Western real estate mortgages that are 
absolutely safe, remunerative and worthy of high recommendation. The loans of 
this company are mostly made to the farmers of Kansas and Missouri. In order to 
make these loans secure beyond question the policy of the management is to loan 
only on well improved farms and not in excess of one-third the adtual cash value of 
the property mortgaged. The company exercises great conservatism and care in the 
matter of examining and appraising the properties on which it makes loans ; in the 
first instance requiring a sworn appraisement by at least two reputable freeholders 
living in the vicinity of the land loaned upon and knowing all about its quality and 
produdliveness, which appraisement must be certified by a bank officer, county officer 
or a justice of the peace, who personally knows the appraisers adling to be intelli- 
gent men and qualified to make the appraisement. After such appraisement has 
been made an ofiicer of the company visits the farm and makes a careful examina- 
tion of it and also inquires into the character, reputation and financial standing of 
the applicant for the loan, and writes out carefully a report of the facfls as he finds 
thetn respecting the security offered and the trustworthiness of the borrower, and 
sends such report with any suggestions or recommendations respedling the loan 
that he deems important to the main office. The loan is then either accepted 
or rejedled upon its merits as thus shown. The Commonwealth Loan and Trust 
Co. recognize the fa(5l that in the investment of large sums of money for Eastern 
people who may personally never see the security that is taken for them, the most 
extreme care and judgment should be used to obtain security that is ample, not only 
under conditions of favorable crops and general prosperit}^ but also under other 
conditions such as may depress for the time being the values of land or the pro- 
ducts thereof, and have made it a rule to insist upon all the above mentioned require- 
ments in order to avoid a single instance of error. The corporation guarantees 
the payment of the principal and interest of the mortgages it sells and obviously 
can not do this safely except it takes all the precautions mentioned to obtain in 
every instance an ample security. The executive officers of this company are men 
of extended business experience and very capable of investing safely the funds 
constantly being sent to them by Eastern investors. Mr. C. A. Parks, the President 
of the company, devotes his entire attention to the management of the Kansas City 
office. Mr. W. W. Mason, First Vice-President and Treasurer, is constantly at the 
Boston office of the company. Mr. Geo. E. Thayer, Second Vice-President, is the 
chief inspector of securities, a work which his twenty years continuous residence 
among the farmers of Missouri and Kansas has well fitted him to perform. The 
company have recently moved into new and spacious quarters handsomely fitted 
and furnished in the " Commonwealth Building," where their constantly increas- 
ing business can be transadled with facility and convenience. The Western officials 
are always glad to receive calls from Eastern investors when visiting in the West, 
and they solicit correspondence and acquaintance with any one interested in 
Western investments. 

Long Brothers. — Wholesale Grocers, Corner of Santa Fe and St. Louis 
Avenues. — In reviewing the industries of Kansas City which have been most instru- 
mental in her wonderful growth and development, this work would indeed be 
incomplete without an emphatic mention of the old and widely known wholesale 
grocery house of Long Brothers. Founded in 1861, the business has, by dint of 
energ}', perseverance and intelledt been condu6ted through every emergency, and 
in the face of close compitetion to the position of supremacy it holds to-day among 
the largest grocerj^ houses in the West. From the very day of its inception the 
record of the firm has been charaAerized by energy and integrity, and nothing has 
been left undone by them to improve their condition and make the most of every 
existing circumstance. They cater to the best of trade by supplying desirable 
goods at figures which will compete with the closest Eastern markets. Their four- 
teen traveling salesmen fill many orders for dealers over a large territory tributary 
to Kansas City, but the sales are especially extensive throughout Missouri and 
Kansas, and amount to two million dollars annually. In all there are fifty persons 



I02 J ul; Industriks of Kansas City. 



in the employ ofthis house. The main building is a commodious strucfture, five 
stories high with basement, and 110x75 feet in dimensions, and in it may be found 
the perfect system and completeness that one would expecfl to find in a mammoth 
institution ofthis importance. Messrs Ivong Brothers carry a complete assortment of 
the best goods in the market and make a specialty of the famous He No Tea, for 
which they are sole agents. They are the oldest established wholesale grocers in 
Kansas City, and by maintaining in the management of the basiness the honorable 
methods which have charadlerized their business history in the past, they have 
earned the good opinion of the trade and a continuous increase of prosperity and 
good repute. 

Frank C. Henderson. — Real Estate Broker and Investor of Capital; no 
West Sixth Street. — -This business was established in March, 1885, by the firm of 
Bankart & Henderson, by wtiom it was continued until April, 1887, when, upon 
the death of Mr. Bankart, Mr. Frank C. Henderson continued the business alone. 
Mr. Henderson is a gentleman who is justly regarded as an authority upon all 
matters pertaining to Kansas City and suburban real estate, and he does a large 
and satisfactory business in every description of city and suburban property, mak- 
ing a specialty of West Bottom, Troost avenue and Fifteenth street property, and 
also being largely interested in Whitman & Sears' first and second additions, Whit- 
man & Henderson Troost avenue additions, L/Ogan Park, Landsdowne and other 
additions located on Troost avenue, Belmont Heights on Fifteenth street, and 
other favorite properties, having on hand and for sale at all times a large amount 
of residence and business properties. In addition to this individual business, Mr. 
Henderson is interested in the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Real Estate Trust Com- 
pany, a corporation with a capital of $500,000, and is also connecfled with other im- 
portant business enterprises. Prior to engaging in this business here in 1885, Mr. 
Henderson was in the live-stock commission business at Chicago, and prior to that 
he was engaged in the real estate business at Pierre, Dak. His adlive business 
experience especially fits him for the handling of transadlibns of magnitude, and 
his correA and reliable methods commend him to the favor and confidence of all 
with whom he comes in business contadl. 

Citizens' National Bank.— J. J. Squier, President; Phil. E. Chappell, 
Vice-President ; R. W. Hocker, Second Vice-President ; W. H. Seeger, Cashier ; 
Sixth and Delaware Streets. — This bank, which occupies a prominent position 
among the most substantial and prosperous of the financial institutions of the 
West, opened for business in January, 1882, and since that time has transacfted an 
adlive banking business, buying and selling foreign and domestic exchange, loan- 
ing money on apppoved security, discounting first class commercial paper, attend- 
ing to colledtions and otherwise carrying on all the branches of a legitimate bank- 
ing business. The financial history of the corporation from its organization to the 
present time has been one of gratifying and steady increase, the last published re- 
port, dated December 7, 1887, making an excellent showing. At that 
time, in addition to its capital stock, fully paid in, of $200,000, the bank 
had a surplus fund of $100,000, and undivided profits of $75,000, in addition to 
which it paid an annual dividend of ten per cent, to its stockholders. The total 
resources of the bank, at that time, amounted to $2,039,861.50. The stock of this 
bank is held at 210, the last sale being at 200. This bank is the oldest designated 
depository of the United States, and its methods have ever been such as to com- 
mend it to the favor and confidence of business men and the community at large. 
The President of the bank, Mr. J. J. Squier, has been a resident of Kansas City for 
the past twenty years, and in addition to his position as the chief executive ofthis bank, 
is prominently identified with many other important business and financial cor- 
porations. Mr. Phil. E. Chappell, the Vice-President of the bank, is well known 
as a substantial and successful business man, a large capitalist and connedled with 
many important enterprises. He at one time served a term as Treasurer of the 
State of Missouri. Mr. R. W. Hocker, the Second Vice-President, was formerly 
cashier of the Saxton National Bank at St. Joseph, Mo.; and is a man of ample 
means and important business connedlions. Mr. Seeger is the Cashier of the 
bank, and has been a resident of Kansas City for the past thirty years. He has 
been engaged in the banking business for sixteen years in various banks, and his 
thorough and practical knowledge of all the details of banking, close attention to 



The Industries op Kansas City. 



103 



all his duties, and efficiency in every respecl have largely contributed to |the grati- 
fying prosperity shown by the leport of the financial condition of the bank. In 
addition to these officers the following well-known and prominent citizens are 
directors of the bank; — S. McWilliams, Milton Welsh, Frank J. Baird, Thomas 
K. Hanna, John Conover, George P. Olmstead, James B. Bell, Charles B. Leach, 
M. W. St. Clair and W. H. Seeger. 

.a 

Burnham, Hanna, Munger & Co.— Importers and Jobbers of Dry 
Goodi and Notions, and Manufadlurers ; Seventh and Wyandotte Streets. — Kansas 




m 



BURNHAM. HANNA,MUNGER&CO 



WHOLESALE DRY GOODS. 




City has among its mammoth jobbing houses many that would do honor to the 
larger cities of the East, and among these, in the. dry goods line of commercial 
enterprise, none occupy a position of higher rank, or is entitled to more consider- 
ation, with reference to an elevated commercial standard upon whicb. its opera- 
tions are based, the extent of business transacted, and its potent influence in com- 
mercial circles, than that of Messrs. Burnham, Hanna, Munger & Co. located at the 
corner of Seventh and Wyandotte streets. The individual members of this great 
house are Messrs. J. K. Burnham, Thomas K. Hanna, Albert H. Munger, Frederick 
C. Stoepel and O. h. Woodgate, all gentlemen of pre-eminent social worth and 
commercial prominence. The enterprise was established here in 1868 by Messrs. 
Tootle, Hanna & Co. having had its origin in the State of Nebraska and assumed 
its present designation April, 1887, upon the death of Mr. Milton Tootle. The 
former business location was at Nos. 413, 415 and 417 Delaware street, but their 
business operations having increased so rapidly, the premises now occupied were 



I04 The Industries of Kansas City. 



built expressly for their accommodation, and consist of a magnificent, six-story 
and basement brick and iron edifice, 75x141 feet in dimensions, completely stocked 
with full lines of bleached and brown cottons, plaids, cheviots, ducks, flannels, 
prints, ginghams, jeans, cassimeres, all kinds and descriptions of dress goods, 
linens, hosiery, white goods, etc., which are at all seasons carried in stock. 
The firm are also largely engaged in the manufa6ture of overalls, jeans, cottonade 
and cassimere pants, shirts, etc. The establishment is fully equipped with every 
modern convenience and appliance, steam-power being utilized in their manufac- 
turing department. A perfect system prevails in every department of this mam- 
moth house, one of the firm having general supervision and management of the 
internal economy of this vast concern. An immense capital is involved in the 
business. There are sixty-five people in the employ, aggregating an annual pay-roll 
of $40,000. Fifteen of these represent the interest of the house in their trade terri- 
tory, which embraces Kansas, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, Missouri and Ne- 
braska mainly, and wherein the annual sales amount to upwards of $2,000,000. Mr. 
J. K. Burnham, the head of the Detroit house of Burnham, Stoepel & Co., is about 
to remove to this city, a significant indication of the spirit of the age, that " the 
star of empire Westward takes its course." He is President of the German-Ameri- 
can National Bank of this city. Mr. Thomas K. Hanna has been a resident of this 
city since 1868. He is the genius of the drj^ goods trade of this city and a pioneer 
of the West in this line. The present enterprise had its inception under his fos- 
tering care in the distant State of Nebraska, in 1857. He was the first President of 
the Board of Trade of Kansas City, the future metropolis of the West, Diredlor of 
the School Board of this city for many 3'ears, and has always been closely identified 
with every project for the material development of trade and commerce in the city 
of his adoption, but of late years has to some extent relaxed adtive participation in 
business. Mr. Albert H. Munger hae been a resident since the reorganization of the 
firm here in 1887, and is a member of the firm of Burnham, Stoepel & Co., of 
Detroit, Mich. Mr. Oscar Woodgate was a member of the firm ol Tootle, Hanna & 
Co., and is now the credit head of the present house, a gentleman eminently fitted 
for the responsibility of his position. Mr. F. K. Stoepel is the efficient manager of 
the Detroit house. In short this grand commercial enterprise is the leading re- 
presentative dry goods emporium of Kansas City, and their name is a synonym for 
all that makes up enterprise and sagacity in business circles and public spirited- 
ness in the community. 

National Bank of Commerce. — W. S. Woods, President; L. F. Wil- 
son, Vice-President; C. J. White, Cashier; H. C. Schwitzgebel, Assistant Cashier; 
545 Delaware Street. — One of the most gratifying features of the financial history 
of Kansas City is presented by the record of this prominent banking institution, 
which is the successor to the Kansas City Savings Association, originally estab- 
lished in 1865, and which conducted business under that style until 1882, when the 
name of the bank was changed to the Bank of Commerce. The operations of the 
bank were conducted under the State law until August 10 of the past year, when 
the bank commenced business under the national banking act, with a paid in capi- 
tal of $2,000,000. At the time of its first statement, dated October 5, it was shown 
that the bank had total resources of $5,739,071.31, that it had loans and discounts 
outstanding to the amount of $3,384,208.98 and cash and sight exchange on hand 
amounting to $2,070,639.39. The iDuilding occupied by the bank is one of the most 
imposing in the city, costing, exclusive of the ground upon which it stands, $80,000, 
and fitted up at the cost of $35,000, elegantly eqtiipped and decorated, and making 
one of the most attractive banking house interiors in the country. The bank does 
a general business embracing all the departments usually condudled by a national 
bank, loaning money on approved security, discounting first class commercial 
paper, dealing in and issuing exchange upon the leading foreign and domestic 
cities and carrying on all the departments of a legitimate banking business. The 
bank throughout its career has held a prominent place in the confidence of the 
business men of the city and the community at large as a result of its safe and 
conservative methods of transadting business, and its Board of Directors is com- 
posed of the following well-known and substantial citizens : L, F. Wilson, C. J. 
White, Web. Withers, Richard Gentry, W. S. Woods, Wm. A. Wilson, Jos. Cahn, 
J. K. Davidson, James M. Nave, B. L. Martin, Wm. Askew, J. C. Egelhoflf and 
L. J. Talbott. President Woods is well known as a successful banker in Central 



The Industries of Kansas City. 105 



Misouri, and later as a substantial merchant, having been a member of the firm ot 
Grimes, Woods, La Force & Co., prior to accepting the presidency of the bank in 
Kansas Cit}'. Mr. Wilson, the Vice-President, is also a substantial business man, 
having been engaged in the banking business in Illinois prior to coming to this 
city. Mr. White, the cashier, has resided in Missouri since 1843, and was engaged 
in mercantile business prior to 1865, when he came to this city^ and organized the 
Kansas City Savings Association, since which time he has been connected with the 
bank, and has largely contributed by his superior knowledge of the details of legiti- 
mate banking, his close attention to his important duties, and his efficiency in 
every respe6t to the great success of the bank, and the high place it now holds in 
the estimation of the business community. 

R. S. Brown & Son. — Florists; Floral Store, 1207 Main Street; Green 
Houses, Fourteenth and Wabash Streets. — There is nothing in nature that so en- 
hances the beauty of human existence and cheers the monotony of life as the 
sweet scented, rare and beautiful flowers. Kansas City has its representatives in 
the horticultural field as well as in many other important features that go to make 
up the pleasures of social life. Among these leading mention is due to the firm of 
R. S. Brown & Son, florists. The enterprise was founded in 1882 by Mr. R. S. 
Brown, who was joined in business by his son, Mr. E. F. Brown, in 1886. This 
firm'posesses the very best facilities for the condu6l of this industry, having a plant 
on Fourteenth and Wabash streets, covering an area of two acres and embracing 
thirteen green houses, 25x125 feet in dimensions each, and supplied with modern 
conveniences requisite to plant and flower culture. A floral store is also located at 
1 207 INIain street,where is constantly kept on hand a profusion of exquisite cut flowers, 
bulbs, pot plants, etc. The premises are 20x80 feet in area,replete with every variely of 
plant and flower, displayed in a neat and artistic manner. This firm publishes a 
comprehensive and elegantly illustrated catalogue, which is furnished gratis upon 
application. Mr. R. S. Brown has been a resident of Kansas City upwards ot 
thirty-five years. Prior to engaging in his present enterprise he had been market 
gardener for many years. He is a native of the Emerald I&le and came from Bel- 
fast to America with his parents when but three years old. At first his people 
settled in Canada, but Mr. Brown subsequently went to Buffalo, N. Y., and from 
thence to Kansas City, where he has made his record as an enterprising and pradli- 
cal business man. His son, Mr. E. F. Brown, was born in this city, is a young 
man of industrious habits, and possesses in a high degree his father's practical turn 
of mind. A promising future lies before him. Eight experienced assistants are 
employed and a thorough and economical system prevails through the establish- 
ment. 

^J. W. Nier. — Civil and Mechanical Engineer; Rooms 10, 11 and 12, Hal^ 
Bunding, Corner of Ninth and Walnut Streets; Telephone 1480. — The subjedl of 
this sketch established his business here in 1885, at a period in the history of our 
Western metropolis which was propitious for engineering science, as some of the 
most important public improvements and business enterprises had been projedted 
and were being carried out with that energy charadleristic of Kansas City's commer- 
cial classes and public spirited citizens. Mr. John W. Nier's business extends as far 
east as Indiana, westward to the Rockies, and from Nebraska to the Gulf of Mex- 
ico. His works the preceding year aggregate upwards of $800,000 upon waterworks 
improvements alone, and $250,000 on sewerage plans, all of which have been com- 
pleted. At present he is chief engineer of the Kansas City and Sabine Pass rail- 
road, an important line projected from Kansas City to the Gulf of Mexico, and has 
engineered numerous other works and engineering schemes. Mr. Nier has been 
a resident of Kansas City upwards of ten years. He was formerly United States 
division engineer of the central division of the Missouri river improvements. 
He is one of the firm of Hartford & Nier, civil engineers, of Chattanooga, Tenn. 
He is thoroughly educated in the profession of civil engineering, being a graduate 
of the Polytechnic Institute of Troy, N. Y. Aside from this he has had wide and val- 
uable experience in connedtion with some of the most important engineering works 
of the age. From fifteen to twenty proficient assistants are employed, and the 
greatest care and scientific skill is observed in all the details of the works and 
planning. It is due to such proficiency and consummate skill that the subjedl of 
this sketch has met with a deservedly great success. 



io6 



The Industries of Kansas City. 



Robert Keith Furniture and Carpet Company.— Robert Keitli, 
President ; S. M.Kennard, Vice-President ; Albert Scheuneman, Secretary ; 8ii and 




813 Main Street, and 810, 812 and 814 Walnut Street.— The design of this volume 
being to diffuse general information concerning the industries and resources of 
Kansas City, injustice would be done to one of the best firms in the city, should 
this one be passed over in silence. This enterprise was incorporated and estab- 
lished in 1881, with a capital of $125,000, and now has on its pay-roll 100 employes, 
while its business is extended all through the entire West, reaching to California, 



Thb Industries op Kansas City. 



107 



and its city trade is simply enormous. Its stock embraces every article in the line 
from the most elaborate and costly to the plainer and less expensive. In parlor! 




bed-room, dmmg-room and library sets, in all styles and prices, they excel, and 

ermal^^J^'tl '°^.'''^'"!''^'- .?^^^ ^^"P^^^ °<" ^^^ upholstered goods is really un- 
equaled in the city, and m this class the house enjoys a wide spread and merited 



io8 The Industries of Kansas City. 



reputation. All its stock is remarkable for elegant and artistic workmanship, 
exquisite iinish and liberal prices. This establishment occupies five stories on 
Main and six stories on Walnut street, fronting on Main fifty feet and running 
back 112 feet; on Walnut seventy-two feet, and running back 120 feet, giving an 
area of 79,840 square feet of floor space, and is one of the most extensive carpet and 
furniture houses in the United States. The building is fitted expressly for the 
business, every department being adapted to its particular line of goods. Mr. 
Keith, who is prompt, energetic and reliable, and condudts business on most liberal 
principles, has achieved remarkable success, and is a worthy representative of the 
commercial interests of Kansas City. He was formerly located at L/cavenworth, 
where he was engaged in the same business, but came to Kansas City in 1881, and 
has resided here ever since. 

First National Bani< of Kansas City, Mo.— James L. Lombard, 
President; Witten McDonald, Vice-President; E. F. Swinney, Cashier; G. W. 
Fishburu, Assistant Cashier : Ninth, Main and Delaware Streets ; Kansas City, 
Mo. — The prominent position held by this bank in the confidence of the people of 
Kansas City and the West generally, is due to the amplitude of its resources, the 
conservative methods of its management, and the substantial charadler of the gen- 
tlemen having its destinies in charge as officers and directors. The ofl&cial state- 
ment of the financial condition of the bank at the close of business October 5, 1887, 
made a gratifying showing, the bank having at that date in addition to its capital 
stock of $250,000, a surplus of $60,000, and deposits of $1,441,876.93. The facilities 
of the bank for the transaction of every description of banking business are unsur- 
passed, including seventy eight foreign correspondents, besides correspondents in 
New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Omaha, St. Joseph, Denver and San 
Francisco. Every department of a legitimate banking business is carried on, and 
the bank carries the accounts of individuals, firms and corporations, to whom it 
aff"ords the best facilities consistent with correct banking principles ; it loans money 
on approved security, discounts good commercial paper, mades collections and 
issues exchange and does a live, adtive and steadily increasing business. Its Board 
of Directors is made up of gentlemen who are prominent in the business world, 
including Messrs. James L. Abernathy, E. D. Fisher, Joseph S. Loose, James L. 
Lombard, Benjamin Lombard, Jr;, Witten McDonald, George W. McCreary, G. H. 
Nettleton, John F. Richards, E. F. Swinney, Robert L. Yeager and James A. 
Blair, with ofiicers as named in the head lines of this article. The safe and con- 
servative management of this bank by President Lombard and those associated 
with him in the management has given it a leading place in the confidence of the 
buisness men of the city, and Mr. E. F. Swinney, the cashier, who is a banker of 
experience, and who is assisted by Mr. G. W. Fishburn, attends to the practical 
details of the business with a fidelity which has largely contributed to secure for 
the bank the gratifying prominence it has attained. 

Van Brunt & Howe. — Architects; Room 32, Bayard Building, 1214 Main 
Street.^ — The sublime art of architecture has not in the West a more worth};^ repre- 
sentative than the firm now under special notice. Many of the public buildings 
and business blocks, besides a number of private residences, owe their beautiful 
outlines and convenient appointments to the consummate skill of these gentle- 
men. The business had its inception in Boston, Mass., about twenty years ago, 
under the name and style of Ware & Van Brunt, subsequently changing to its 
present designation and removed to Kansas City in 1885, as this field afforded better 
opportunities for the display of skill in architecture, as the sequel will show. 
Messrs. Henry Van Brunt and Frank Maynard Howe are the individual members of 
this firm. They employ twelve draughtsmen and assistants. A branch establish- 
ment is still retained in Boston, in order to facilitate their extensive patronage, 
which covers the whole United States. Speaking of their important works in this 
city, we would mention a few only that are monuments to the architectural beauty 
of our western metropolis, and refleCt high honor on their projectors and design- 
ers. The designing and superintendence of construction of the following build- 
ings may be mentioned in this connection, viz : The Bayard building, where this 
firm's offices are located, is a substantial red stone, brick and terra cotta struClure, 
and, although not large, presents a graceful elevation and is quite attractive 
in appearance; the nevf Journal building, on Ninth and Walnut streets, which 



Thk Industries op Kansas City. 109 



is after the same style as the preceding; the Gibraltar building, and the New 
England building, which was planned and designed by Messxs. Bradlee, Wind- ' 
sor & Witherel, architedts, and superintended by Messrs. Van Brunt & Howe. 
This is without question the finest strudlure in the city. A large number of res- 
idences and business blocks in various parts of the city, in which the Adams family 
of Boston are largely interested, are among their recent and present iindertakings. 
Mr. Van Brunt has recently become a resident of Kansas Cit}-. He hails from the 
old Bay State, and for upwards of twenty years pursued his avocation in the Athens 
of America (Boston). Mr. Frank Maynard Howe is also from Massachusetts, where 
he was engaged in the architedlural art for many years in Boston, of which city he 
is a native. These gentlemen have scored a deservedly great success through care 
and consummate skill in all their undertakings, coupled with honorable business 
methods and promptness in execution of all commissions entrusted to them. 

C. W. Waddell. — Real Estate; Room 311, Alamo Building.— Prominent 
among the best known and highly favored real estate dealers of Kansas City is the 
above named gentleman, who established his ofiice and engaged actively in the 
real estate business in 1885. Previously to engaging in his present enterprise he 
had been connected with the prominent dry goods house of Bullene, Moore, Emery 
& Co., from 1877 to 1885. He now controls the sale of some of the most desirable 
business and residence property in the city. He is conscientious and precise in his 
business transadtions, and commands the respect of a large and increasing patron- 
age. Mr. Waddell is familiar with every detail of his business, and is authority in 
quoting present and prospedlive valiies. The Randolph subdivision, otherwise 
known as North Kansas City, is one of the those desirable properties the sale of which. 
Mr. Waddell controls, and many other tracts equally eligible for business and resi- 
dence purposes, are at his disposal and rapidly becoming the points from which 
real estate investors are making selections. Mr. Waddell's methods in business are 
strictly honorable, and his continued ^ccess is assured. He is an enterprising 
young man — devoted to his business, and stands high in social and commercial 
circles. 

E. H. Chamberlain & Co. — Powder and High Explosives; 103 West 
Eighth Street. — Mr. Chamberlain has had this agency for high explosives open for 
over a year, and with gratifying success. He keeps two travelers on the road, and 
has built up a good and paying trade over Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado and Da- 
kota, besides doing a large business with Kansas City jobbing houses, and supply- 
ing explosives to the cable roads and all grading points about the city. The powder 
is made at Christiana, O., and is shipped here, when it is stored in Mr. Chamber- 
lain's magazine, on the Argentine road. This building has a capacity for holding 
three thousand kegs. Mr. Chamberlain came from St. Louis, where he had been 
in the powder business. He is, besides being a capable and thorough business 
man, well posted in the scientific part of his business, knowing exactly the 
strength and action of the different explosives, the work for which each is designed 
and the proper modes of handling them. 

Kansas City Terra Cotta Lumber Company.— Manufadlurers of 

Terra Cotta Lumber ; Room 55, Sheidley Building, Corner of Ninth and Main 
Streets. — This important industrial enterprise was established and incorporated in 
May, 1886, with a capital stock of $100,000, and with a diredtorate of Geo. D. Ford, 
President; E. D. Bigelow, Vice-President; John C. Gage, Attorney; W. A. Towers, 
Auditor, and Thos. A. Lee, Secretary and General Manager. Their factory is lo- 
cated on Lydia avenue, near Third street, where they employ sixty hands and turn 
out immense quantities of terra cotta lumber, having a capacit)^ for manafadluring 
15,000 tons of material annually. Terra cotta lumber is a porous earthenware, 
adapted to fire-proofing large office buildings, and to building and lining dwelling 
houses. It has become a very important article of commerce, and that manufac- 
tured by this company is highly appreciated on the market. Some of the qualities 
of this useful material are that it is neither destroyed nor affected by fire, or fire 
and water combined; it condu(fls neither heat nor sound, and neither shrinks, ex- 
pands nor warps, while it efifedlively stops both dampness and cold. It is notafiFe(5\ed 
by age, and holds nails, screws and plastering firmly. It is but one-third the 
weight of brick, yet has a large carrying strength, and is easily worked by the 



no The Industries of Kansas City. 



same tools as wood. Then it is cheap, and absolutely fire-proof. This company 
is celebrated for the quality of its terra cotta lumber, and also for its liberal and 
honorable methods of dealing and the faithful carrying out of contradts, and its 
trade in consequently large, extending over Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas. 
They supplied the terra cotta lumber for the Board of Trade building, the Ameri- 
can Bank building, the New England Mutual Life Insurance Co.'s building, the 
Midland Hotel building, the Water Works building, and other prominent edifices 
in Kansas City. Mr. Lee, the manager, is an energetic business man, and the 
company's business has grown to large proportions in his hands. 

Clif. R. Barnes, Jr. — Bond and Stock Broker; Commercial Paper and 
Real Estate; Room 71, Sheidley Building. — This business was established two and 
a half years ago, as a real estate firm, by Messrs. Barnes & Barnes, but it subse- 
quently changed to Smith & Barnes, and in the fall of 1887 came entirely into the 
hands of Mr. Clif. R. Barnes, Jr. He makes a specialty of dealing in commercial 
paper, stocks and bonds, and is vouched for by the American National Bank, the 
National Bank of Commerce and the National Bank of Kansas City, besides which 
he is widely known as a man of the highest honor and the most unswerving integ- 
rity in all his dealings. His real estate business consists mainly in trades on his 
own property, but he gives some attention to choice inside business and residence 
lots, and invests largely for Eastern capitalists and negotiates loans for his cus- 
tomers. He intends to sell off his real estate and give his whole attention to his 
brokerage business, besides which he intends uniting with another party in the 
coal and wood business, of which his prospective partner will be manager, while 
he gives his attention to. his present business. The name of this new firm has 
not yet been made public. 

R. Lloyd Jones. — Civil Engineer; Room 307, Baird Building ; Sixth and 
Wyandotte Streets. — Prominent in this Ijighl}^ important branch of the learned 
professions is Mr. R. LI. Jones, C. E. Though located in Kansas City, he does not 
confine his business to this. city or sedlion of country, but attends to orders all over 
the Union, and employs half a dozen skillful assistants to keep pace with the de- 
mands made upon him. He makes specialties of railroad engineering, laying out 
and platting town sites, designing parks, private grounds and boulevards, and 
furnishing all kinds of railroad maps, profiles and estimates, besides doing cit)' and 
country surveying. He is particularly noted for his plans, diagrams and surveys, 
made for the legal profession, in criminal cases or cases of accident, for which he 
has won a high reputation, owing to the exadlness and skill with which he pre- 
pares such exhibits. Mr. Jones is a native of Wales, and came to America and settled 
in Kansas City two years ago. He was, while in the old country, engineer on con- 
trudlion of a branch of the Great Western Railway for three years, and from that 
time until he left for this country early in 1886 located in his native town as a civil 
engineer and surveyor, and performed the engineering and surveying work for the 
Council of that town. He has been adlively engaged in his profession since he 
came to this country, and is an energetic, enterprising and highly intelligent man. 
All orders or communications sent to his office will have the most prompt and 
careful attention. 

A. C. Wurmser & Company.— Furniture, Carpets, Stoves, Mirrors and 
General Household Goods ; 1209 and 1211 Main Street. — The enterprising gentle- 
man in this leading industry is Mr. A. C. Wurmser, who established the business in 
1884. The house makes a specialty of furniture, carpets, stoves, mirrors and 
general household goods, and can furnish and fit up a house throughout in a style 
superior to anything that can be obtained anywhere else in the city. An immense 
stock of the very finest and handsomest goods is carried, and in the employ twenty 
intelligent clerks are retained; and the house does an annual business of $250,000, 
which trade extends over Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Indian Territory, Colorado 
and Texas. The house is wonderfully popular, is widely celebrated for its superior 
goods, its moderate prices and its honorable dealings, and is, without any question, 
the favorite emporium for housekeepers of all classes, while it stands unrivaled, 
west of Chicago, for volume of business, quality of goods and business reputation. 
The business occupies five stories of a building, 50x125 feet in dimensions, and 
every department is under the most capable management, and kept in the most 



The Industries op Kansas City. 



Ill 



handsome style. Mr. A. C. Wurmser is a native of Cincinnati, where he was formerly 
engaged in the same business. He came to Kansas City in 1884, and entered upon 
the business here. He is a wide-awake business man, and no one in the city knows 
more about his trade, or how to manage it, than he. Mr. Wurmser's aim is to keep 
his house the leader in its line in the West, which proud position it already has, 
and will continue to occupy in Kansas City. 

Corle Cracker and Confectionery Company.— J. S. Loose, Presi- 
dent ; J. L. Loose, Secretary and Treasurer ; Manufacflurers of Fine Biscuits, 




Cakes, Jumbles and Pure Candies ; Corner of Second and Main Streets.- — This busi- 
ness which has now grown to proportions which give it a prominent place among 
the leading houses of its kind in the country, was originally established in 1875 by 
Mr. J. F. Corle, by whom it was conducted until 1880, when the business was incor- 
porated under its present style, and in 1882 Messrs. J. S. and J. L. Loose, having 
obtained a controlling interest in the corporation, became respectively President 
and Secretary and Treasurer of the corporation, and have since pradlically managed 
the business. The volume of the transadtions of the company has steadily expanded 
from that time, and now covers a large trade in the States of Kansas, Nebraska, 
Missouri, Colorado, Texas, Arkansas and the Territory of New Mexico, and the 
firm is favorably known to the trade by reason of the superiority of its produdl and 
the uniform accuracy and reliability upon which its business is condudted. The 
premises occupied by the company embrace a factory 100 x 145 feet in dimensions, 
and which is a four-story and basement strudlure. Of this building the basement 
and first and second floors are utilized for the manufadlure of biscuits, crackers, 
cakes, jumbles, etc., while the third and fourth floors are used as a factory for the 
manufadlure of candies and confecflions ; having in all 71,000 square feet of floor 
space, in addition to which they have a box faflory, where they manufaAure all 
the wooden and paper boxes used in their business, and which occupies premises 
40 X 142 in dimensions, including three buildings, one of which is used for stable 
purposes, the company having nine teams which they utilize in their business. 
The factory premises are completely equipped with all the latest and most im- 
proved machinery and appliances adapted to the various departments of their 
business, and employment is given to a force of 250 people, necessitating the dis- 
bursement of a pay-roll amounting to $2,000 per week. The machinery of the fac- 



Thb Industries of Kansas City. 



tory is propelled by a loo horse-power engine, and in the cracker fadlory there are 
three of the latest improved and largest ovens. One hundred and fifty barrels of 
flour per day and two car loads of sugar per week are utilized in the processes of 
manufadlure. The trade of the company is very large, the volume of its transadlions 
amounting to about $i, ©00,000 annually, and the produ6ts being justly popular with 
consumers: their "Peacock" brand of crackers being without a superior in the 
country, and their " Spray Wafers" being the finest manufadlured. In candies, all 
grades are manufadlured, only the best and purest materials, however, being used 
in all departments of their manufa6lure. All the details of the business are con- 
dudled upon perfect and accurate system, and the trade is steadily expanding, 
twelve adtive and experienced traveling salesmen of wide acquaintance being em- 
ployed to represent the house in its large territory. The Messrs. Loose, who are 
principals in the business, are gentlemen of long business experience, and are 
prominently identified with other important enterprises, Mr. J. S. Loose being, 
in addition to his position as President of this company, a Dire(ftor of the First 
National Bank, and Mr. J. L. Loose being a Diredlor of the Grand Avenue Cable 
Line. Under their careful and systematic management, the company has steadily 
increased its business and reached the present highly gratifying condition it enjoys. 

National Bank of Kansas City.— J. S. Chick, President; W. H. Chick, 
Vice-President; W. J. Anderson, Cashier; F. N. Chick, Assistant Cashier. — Among 
the leading financial institutions of the Southwest is the National Bank of Kansas 
City. It has a paid up capital of $1,000,000 and a surplus $250,000, and it pays to its 
stockholders regular semi-annual dividends of 5 per cent. The bank is 
conveniently located in the center of business, owns its own building from which 
it derives a handsome revenue, and has from the first done a large and prosperous 
business. The officers above give their personal and undivided attention to the 
business. 

L. L. Levering. — Architecft ; F. W. A. A.; 701, 702, 703 Nelson Building, Corner 
of Missouri Avenue and Main Street. — With a pradtice and experience of upward of 
twenty-five years in this most ancient and beautiful art, Mr. L. L. Levering located 
in Kansas City, the metropolis of the Great West, in 1881. His office was located 
at 605 Delaware street, but was removed to his present location in July, 1887, upon 
the completion of this magnificent building (Nelson's), where he occupies four 
commodious rooms for his office. This building was designed by his skillful 
hand and its construdlion superintended by his trained eye. A cut of the Nelson 
building appears in another part of this work. The Christian church, on the 
corner of Locust and Eleventh streets, is another specimen of his handiwork, and 
a large number of magnificent residences in Dundee Place, this city, and other 
parts of the city, all of which bear witness as monuments to his artistic taste and 
consummate skill in the sublime art of architedlure. In addition to the above, 
Mr. Levering is now planning and designing other important business blocks 
which will cover a frontage of upwards of 600 feet, and other buildings in various 
parts of the city. Mr. Levering hails from Columbus, Ind., where he pursued his 
avocation for eighteen years. He has always been a hard student of his profession. 
The dim light of "midnight oil" found him always in his study, and the bright 
sunshine at the practice of his pet profession. His career is an example well 
worthy of imitation, for assiduity, perseverance and skill. He is a member of the 
Western ArchiteAs' Association, and his name is a synonym for all that constitutes 
proficiency in the architedlural art. His patronage embraces local enterprises and 
extends through Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and other Western points. He 
is well preserved for one of his age, and bids fair for many years more of useful- 
ness in his profession. 

White & Rial. — Live Stock Commission Merchants; Rooms 28 and 29 Live 
Stock Exchange, Kansas City. — This well known commission house, of which 
Messrs. Robert C. White and Samuel T. Rial are the members, was established in 
1876, and after an existence ot eleven years has advanced to a position as one of 
the leading houses in the Live Stock Exchange, its members being gentlemen of 
wide experience in the live stock business, and men of sagacity and earnest and 
untiring efforts. Mr. Robert C. White is a native of Kentucky, subsequently mov- 
ing to Piatt County, Missouri, in 1843, where he was engaged as a farmer and mer- 



The Industries of Kansas City. 113 



chant, until the " panic year " of 1857, when he removed to Kansas City, and has 
since resided here, and for twenty-eight years has devoted his energies to the live 
stock interests. Mr. Sam. T. Rial, the junior member of the firm, was born in 
Anderson County, Kentucky, removing in childhood to Excelsior Springs, Mis- 
souri, and making a trip to California, when a stripling of seventeen years. Half 
of his life has been spent in the live stock industry, fourteen years of which have 
been in the Kansas City Stock Yards. This house was established by Messrs. 
White & Holmes, who were succeeded by the present firm, January i, 1887. Their 
office is elegantly fitted up, and they give employment to ten men, and have a 
trade distributed throughout Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Iowa, Texas, 
Arizona and New Mexico, and an annual business of $5,000,000, with steadily in- 
creasing patronage. The house is chara<5lerized by stridl business principles, and 
upright methods of dealing. 

Consolidated Tank Line Company. — Wholesale Lubricating and 
Burning Oils ; Office, Northwest corner of Ninth and Walnut Streets ; Works, Ar- 
mourdale, Kansas. — The importance of this industry can only be measured when 
compared with the already great and growing demand for its produdls. Kansas City 
has drawn within her borders many of the useful industries of the age, but none 
is more deserving of special mention than the Consolidated Tank Line Comjpany, 
which was organized and duly incorporated in 1877, with a paid up capital stock of 
$1,000,000. The management of its affairs is now under the efficient diretflion of 
the following official board : Messrs. Alexander McDonald, President ; James 
McDonald, Vice-President and Treasurer; W. P. Thompson, Secretary; J. W. 
Swain, General Manager, and W. N. Davis, Manager of the Kansas City division, all 
of whom are residents of Cincinnati, O., the headquarters of the enterprise, except 
Messrs. Swain and Davis, who reside here. The capacity of the Kansas City works 
is 2,000 barrels per diem. The establishment is supplied with all necessary modern 
conveniences and appliances. A force of from 150 to 200 hands receives constant em- 
ployment upon an average monthly pay-roll of $12,000. The territory covered by this 
division of the company's business is embraced within the States of Missouri and 
Kansas and the Indian Territory, the annual business in the division amounting to 
upwards of $2,000,000 annually. Specialties are made of all kinds of animal, mineral 
and vegetable oils and greases. The plant, which is located at Armourdale, covers 
an area of three and a half acres, comprising a substantial brick and stone warehouse 
50x200 feet in dimensions, with ample storage cellars, a cooper shop, where they mau- 
ufacflure barrels, glue, brooms, etc., and thirteen large iron tanks, having a total ca- 
pacity of upward of 1,000,000 gallons. The company have in contemplation a material 
increase in their produdlive facilities in the near future, the capacity of which, when 
completed, will be twenty-five per cent, greater than at present. The company's 
enterprise and business sagacity, coupled with honorable business methods and 
liberal dealing, have combined to secure for it a deservedly great success. Mr. J. 
W. Swain has been a resident of this city ten years. He is prominently identified 
with many of Kansas City's commercial enterprises. He is an Ohioan by birth and 
education. Mr. William N. Davis is a Virginian, who was raised in Pennsylvania. 
He is thoroughly conversant with the management of the affairs of the company at 
this point. Both gentlemen are esteemed citizens and favorably recognized in com- 
mercial circles here. 

JoFin Connell. — Real Estate; 721 Delaware Street. — Mr. Connell established 
himself in this business in 1885, prior to which he had been a resident of Kansas 
City for twenty years, first engaging in the dry-goods business, and afterwards 
going into the clothing business. Since establishing in his present enterprise 
Mr. Connell has occupied a prominent position among the leading real estate 
operators in the city, and has condudled a number of the most important of the 
large transadlions in real estate for which the history of the city during the past 
two years has been remarkable. Among other transadlions conduced by Mr. 
Connell was the sale to a syndicate of about eight blocks of land, situated in the 
northern part of the city, bounded on the east by Charlotte street, on the west by 
Oak street, on the south by Ffth street, and north by the Chicago and Alton rail- 
road, and which he sold for $800,000, which is the largest transfer made by any 
single individual in Kansas City. Mr. Connell has secured a merited high place 
in the confidence of local and Eastern investors as a consequence of the close and 



114 Thk Industries op Kansas City. 



accurate knowledge possessed by him of values present and prospedlive of real 
estate in this city and its immediate surroundings, and his close attention to the 
details of every transadlion placed in his hands. His success in the business is 
the result of superior knowledge and a high order of industry, and he is justly 
regarded as an authority upon matters pertaining to real estate in this city. 

E. Pinkert & Co. — Practical Furriers, Importers and Exporters of Furs 
and Skins, and Manufadlurers of Ladies' and Gents' Fine Furs ; 1 125 Main Street. — 
This important industrial enterprise was established in 1884, by the enterprising 
Mr. E. Pinkert, the present proprietor of the business. It is the largest and best 
industry of its kind in Kansas City, or, indeed, in the West, and is widely celebrated 
for its rich and handsome goods as well as for the superior quality of the work 
put upon them. They employ from thirty- five to fifty salesmen and skillful fur 
dressers, and their pay-roll foots up to $600 per week. The premises occupied by 
the business comprise a three- story building, 30x120 feet, in which they keep a 
full and complete stock of all kinds of furs and fur made goods, their seal gar- 
ments being considered superior to anything of the kind made in the West. The 
quality of all the goods sold by the house is so fine, and the house itself has won 
such a high reputation for honorable dealing — an important thing to those trading 
in goods of this class — that their trade is very extensive, spreading out over Mis- 
souri, Kansas, Iowa, Colorado, Mexico and New Mexico. Mr. Pinkert is a,native 
of Germany, and came to America a number of years ago and settled in New York. 
He has been in Kansas City for three years, and is highly spoken of both as a 
business man and a citizen. 

Franklin B. Hough & Co. — Bankers and Financial Agents ; Office, Jour- 
nal Building, Corner of Tenth and Walnut Streets. — The partners in this important 
enterprise are Franklin B. Hough, O. N. Crawford and Warren P. Conner, and they 
opened the doors of their office to the public in 1887. When people congregate 
together and form cities, and all the varied industries of men begin to operate in 
the place, banks become an absolute necessity, for they supply that basis and me- 
dium of all commerce — money. And as cities grow the greater is the demand in 
them for banking facilities, and the greater the need of a reasonable number of 
these institutions that trade may neither be hampered for lack of such facilities, 
nor burdened with usurious rates of interest. The establishment of this addition 
to the banking enterprises of this growing city, during the year, was therefore the 
fulfillment of a commercial law and the projectors deserve every success. They 
keep five employes, besides themselves, and make a specialty of negotiating muni- 
cipal bonds, stocks, real estate mortgages, commercial paper and high grade secur- 
ities, and do a large business through Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, Mexico 
and other States. Mr. Franklin B. Hough is a native of Illinois, and has resided in 
Kansas City since 1879. He was formerly in the manufadluring business, and is 
one of the most reliable, honorable and best all-around business man in the city. 
Messrs. Crawford and Conner have both resided in the city for a number of years, 
and are well-known and highly respedled business men and citizens. They have 
$100,000 capital in their business. 

James & James. — Architedls ; 1211 Grand Avenue, Schutte Building. — The 
partners in this business are Messrs. J. King James and Arthur H. James, two enter- 
prising brothers who opened this office for business in May, 1887, and have already 
firmly established themselves in this city and have their hands full of contrails for 
the coming summer's building operations. They have the contradl for a building 
on Grand avenue, between Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets, which will have a 
frontage on Grand avenue of 250 feet and a depth of 115 feet, and which when com- 
pleted will cost $350,000 ; and in the spring they will eredl a private hotel on West 
Tenth street, for C. G. Hopkins, Esq., which will have a frontage of 53 .feet and a 
depth of 120 feet, and will cost, when completed, $150,000. This building will be 
one of the finest and most ornamental in the city. They are also putting up a 
large business block on the best part of Main street, and others on Walnut street 
and elsewhere. Mr. J. King James came to Kansas City in May, 1887, diredl from 
England, of which country he is a native. He is a fine artist as well as architect, 
and had a high reputation as a perspedlive draftsman in England, where he per- 
formed this kind of work for leading architedls. Mr. Arthur H. James is a brother 



Thk Industries op Kansas City. 



115 



of Mr. J. King James, and has been in America ten years, but came to Kansas City 
in 1886. While in England he was assistant to Mr. Pocock, the architedt of Spur- 
geon's Tabernacle, and he prepared all the drawings for the new Carpenters' Hall, 
for which popular and wealthy association Mr. Pocock was architedt. Mr. James 
was also for some time with H. H. Richardson, of Boston, Mass., the greatest archi- 
tect that America has produced. Both of the Messrs James are men of culture and 
rare natural talents, as well as highly trained and experienced architects. 

Richards & Conover Hardware Company,— Corner of Fifth and 
Wyandotte Streets. — It is universally conceded that the hardware trade occupies a 




position second to none among our national mercantile pursuits, owing to its re- 
markable utility and the miscellaneous objeAs to which it is applicable, and the 
hardware trade of this city is one of great importance. It would be impossible in 
the limits of a work of this description to attempt an enumeration of the great 
variety of wares to be found in the several departments of this establishment, but it 
embraces among its extensive stock, notably, Fairbank's scales, McNeale & Urban 
safes, tin and stamped ware, wagon wood-work, barbed and plain fence wire, springs 
and axles for all varieties of vehicles, circular saws, a full and complete line of tin- 
ners' stock, cutlery, iron, steel, nails, and in fact every article known to the hard- 
ware trade. It buys direcftly from manufacturers in this country, and imports such 
articles from Europe as are superior to American make, and thus keeps constantly 
on hand the best and most desirable goods to be found in this line. This mercan- 
tile industry was first established in L,eavenworth, Kas., in 1857, and was re-es- 



ii6 The Industries of Kansas City. 



tablished in Kansas City, in 1875, since which time it has enjoyed a most satisfac- 
tory business, which is constantly increasing. The following named gentlemen 
compose the present firm, each of whom is well and favorably known in busi- 
ness circles : J. F. Richards, Jno. Conover, W. B. Richards and A. S. Ruhl. The 
elegant building occupied by this company is four stories in height, occupying a 
ground area of 75 x 115 feet, which is fitted up with all the requirements for suc- 
cessfully conducing such an extensive business ; it has also large warehouses on 
Union avenue, West Kansas, with ample railroad connedlions, filled to overflowing 
with wares in this line. Possessing ample capital and a thorough knowledge of 
the business, this firm has obtained a most prominent position among representa- 
tive business houses of this city, while its enterprise in establishing and maintaining 
here an industry of such vast and varied resources, makes the credit, reputation 
and confidence it has acquired justly merited. 

Will. H. McCurdy's Real Estate Exchange.— 15 West Ninth Street— This 
business was established in 1879, by the enterprising Mr. McCurdy, who has done a 
highly satisfactory and prosperous business ever since he first opened his office. 
His trade is gradually increasing, in fadl he has found it necessary to add (very re- 
cently) another office man to his clerical force, his business having increased forty 
per cent, since last July, though many have deen dropping out of the real estate 
business, thinking the adlivity entirely out of the market forever. Mr. McCurdy 
gives his special attention to exchanging Kansas City property for farms, lands and 
stock ranches, merchandise and mortgage paper, and has by far the largest trade 
in the city or in the West in this line. He does not merely exchange unimproved 
outside or suburban property, but has continually on his books a choice list of the 
best business and residence inside rental property in the city, such as brick and 
stone blocks, flats, etc., to exchange for ranches, farms, etc. He also does a large 
commission business, buying and selling for his numerous customers and non-res- 
idents. His deals are principally in the best residence and business improved prop- 
erty to be found in the market. He has a very extensive trade that covers Missouri, 
Kansas, Iowa, Indiana and Illinois. He is extensively known, and his reputation 
for honorable and square dealing is so high that his large business is constantly 
on the rapid increase. Mr. McCurdy has been a resident of Kansas City since 1879, 
and for general information as to values of real estate, in and about the city, he is a 
walking encyclopaedia, and is to-day one of the most affable, intelligent, energetic 
and straight forward men in Kansas City engaged in the real estate business. 

The Great Western Sign and Plating Works.- 609 Walnut Street- 
Kansas City, always in the front rank in the line of improvement, has placed another 
plume in her cap by a step which gives her the largest and most complete sign and 
plating works west of New York, even surpassing the magnificent establishments 
of this kind in Chicago. The Great Western Sign and Plating Works are located 
in the brick stru6lure at 609 Walnut street, where they have all the latest machinery 
and appliances for the manufacture of the finest brass and other signs ; brass rail- 
ings for banks and offices ; all kinds of embossed and cut glass for residence doors, 
mantels, cabinets, side boards, vestibules, storm doors and railroad cars and offices ; 
all kinds of unique and elaborate designs are made by this firm, and originality of 
design is one of the features of their business, they making it a rule to constantly 
add something new. They have just added to their very extensive establishment a 
gold, silver and nickel-plating department, with the latest and most approved 
apparatus for plating all kinds of old jewelry, table ware, etc., in the most 
substantial and durable manner. Of the fadl that fortunes in Kansas City can be 
made in other lines than in speculation, the Great Western Sign and Plating 
Works is a striking example. Starting two years ago with a small shop and no 
business, their works, through demand and the highest class of work have con- 
stantly grown until now their signs and work are to be found in almost every bank 
and business house in the West, and their signs are also to be seen in all the towns 
and cities of the entire Western country. They employ only the best workmen, 
whom they bring from the East, and this coupled with their machinery, enables 
them to acquire greater speed and accuracy in executing their work, as well as 
insuring a class of work such as can nowhere else in the West be turned out. In 
the future Kansas City will remember this among the establishments to which she 
can point with pride, and say " Chicago can not equal it." This company has done 



Thk Industries of Kansas City. 117 



all the fine sign work that is so conspicuous in Kansas City. From this shop have 
come the signs of Chapin & Gore, E. L. Martin, W. W. Morgan, Fred. J. Pfeifer, 
Elgan & Owen, A. N. Sadler, F. G. Altman, W. B. Grimes, Burnham, Hanna, Munger 
& Co., the majoiity of the real estate offices and insurance offices. Truly this is a 
record of which to be proud. 

J. F. Downing. — Real Estate and Loans; Room 6, Sheidley Building, Cor- 
ner of Ninth and Main Streets. — This real estate enterprise was established in 
1883 by Mr. J. F. Downing, and his trade has from the first been highly satisfadlory, 
and he forecasts a lively real estate market for Kansas City in the spring. He 
gives his attehtion entirely to inside property, both business and residence, and 
leaves outside speculations to those who may wish to deal in that class of business. 
His property is mostly situated on the Southwest Boulevard, or lying adjacent 
thereto. He also buys and sells real estate paper, and this is a prominent and 
successful feature of his business. Mr. Downing is a man of excellent judgment, 
and his sound opinions on existing and prospe6live values of property have begot- 
ten great confidence in him with the outside public, so that he finds himself 
called upon to invest capital to a large amount for both local and Eastern parties ; 
indeed, outside investors can not find better advice on the real estate market or 
get into better investments anywhere than through his office. Mr. Downing came 
to Kansas City from Illinois, and was formerly paying teller in the Armour Bank 
iug Co. of this city. He is a wide-awake, energetic business man, and stands high 
in commercial circles. 

Clemons, ClOOn & Co. — Produce Commission Merchants, Corner Fourth 
and Walnut Streets ; C. C. Clemons ; Geo. B. Cloon ; Frank Ridgeway. — This lead- 
ing and widely known produce commission house was established in 1870, by 
the enterprising and successful partners Messrs. Clemons and Cloon, and Mr. 
Ridgeway came into the firm in 1886. The stock of goods carried on by this firm is 
so large that their warerooms, occupying three floors of a building 30x125 feet, are 
insufficient, and they are forced to store large quantities in other warehouses. They 
employ fifteen hands in their warerooms constantly, and in egg season they in- 
crease them to thirty, while two capable travelers represent them on the road. 
This trade is without doubt larger than that of any other house in the same busi- 
ness in this city, and extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific. They constantly ship 
large quantities of butter and eggs, and sometimes apples and potatoes, to the East, 
while they bring in potatoes from Utah, Colorado and California, and sometimes 
from Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota; the quantity of this produdl 
handled by them being enormous. They also handle great quantities of oranges, 
lemons, bananas, cranberries, etc., and make a specialty of dried fruits and honey, 
of which they handle unusually large quantities. They ship eggs East in car lots, 
and also to San Francisco ; and some idea of the magnitude of their fruit business 
may be formed from the fadl that they bring in on an average five car loads of 
oranges every week for three months at a stretch. Mr. Clemons is from Kentucky 
as also is Mr. Cloon, while Mr. Ridgeway is from Illinois. They are all business 
men of the first order and men of the highest stamp, and are well worthy of their 
splendid business and the enviable position which they occupy, both of which have 
been attained by their own industry and superior business abilities. 

The Zahner & Battell Manufacturing Company.— w. E. Zahner, 

President ; Geo. S. Battell, Secretary and Treasurer ; 940 Main Street. — This old 
well known house manufaAures galvanized iron cornices, metallic skylights, and 
all kinds of copper work, contracting for any and all work manufactured from 
sheet metal, and deals extensively in stoves and hardware. The business was 
established in 1872, by the energetic and enterprising Mr. W. E. Zahner, but in 
1882 he associated Mr. Geo. S. Battell with him, and formed the firm of Zahner & 
Battell ; then in 1886 they received their charter and became a corporate body with 
a capital stock of $20,000, and the business assumed its present name. The com- 
pany employ fiity hands, and their trade covering both Kansas and Missouri and 
other points, in addition to a splendid city business. Their store and warerooms 
occupy entirely two floors of a building 25x150 feet, and the rear part of two ad- 
ditional floors. Their retail department is under the supervision of C. W. Oder, 
an energetic and thoroughly practical member of the company. They carry a full 



ii8 The Industries op Kansas City. 



stock of goods in all lines appertaining to their trade, and among their specialties 
is the "Home Comfort" Steel Cooking Ranges — for hotel and family use — which 
is acknowledged to be the best range of this class made. In these the house has 
become celebrated, as the stoves and ranges are pradlically perfedl, and they gurantee 
every one they sell. Mr. Zahner is an old resident of Kansas City, and Mr. Battell 
has been here for ten years. They are all adtive business men of the class known 
as workers, and are well deserving of the large public patronage they enjoy, for 
there is no more reliable house than theirs in the whole country. 

G. V. Toms. — Real Estate and Exchange Broker; 113 West Eighth Street. 
— Mr. Toms has been in the real estate business in Kansas Cit}' about four months, 
but coming from Ottawa, Kas., he began with a large list of ranches and farms to dis- 
pose of. These have occupied his time so far, but he is turning his attention to 
city and suburban property, and will soon be chalking as many offers on his side- 
walk black-boards as the best hustler among them. He makes a specialty of ex- 
change, and looks toward a profitable loan business in the near future. Mr. Toms 
is one of those adlive determined men, who will stay with the city while it stays, 
and as a consequence more will be heard of him in the future. 

Horace A. Keefer & Co. — iron and Steel Commission Merchants and 
General Dealers in Steam Motor and Street Railway Supplies ; Room 54, Sheidley 
Building, Corner of Ninth and Main Streets. — This important and prominent en- 
prise was established four years ago by the energetic head of the firm, and on Nov- 
ember 1st, last, a branch office was established at Chicago. A concern of the mag- 
nitude and importance of Horace A. Keefer & Co., having headquarters at Kansas 
City, and a branch in Chicago, is significant. The trade of the house is very large 
and extends over all the Western and Southwestern States and Chicago and the 
Northwest. They make specialties of street railway and cable supplies, including 
passenger and freight cars, wheels, axles, rails, fish-plates and spikes, bolts, boiler- 
tubes, wrought-iron pipe, cast-iron pipe, etc., besides which they deal extensively in 
iron and steel plates for all purposes, plain and corrugated sheet iron and sheet steel, 
etc., and they give special attention to their steel rail department and the Hamilton- 
Corliss engine. This is unquestionably the largest and most important iron and 
steel enterprise in the West, and they have a peerless reputation for honorable 
dealing and faithful carrying out ot contrafts, Mr. Keefer himself, having the re- 
putation of being one of the best business men in the country. Their Chicago 
office is at Room 130, Adams Express building. 

George T. Webb Woodenware Company — Wooden and Willowware, 
Cordage, Twines, Paper, Paper Bags, Brooms, Brushes and Notions; 1325 and 1327 
Union Avenue. — Among the enterprising industrial establishments of this city, 
special mention is due to the George T. Webb Woodenware Company, which had 
its inception in 1882, under the proprietorship of Mr. Geo. T. Webb. At the reorgan- 
ization of the firm in 1882, the business assumed corporate form, with Messrs. Geo. 
T. Webb as President, and Chas. H. Leavy, Secretary, the latter being succeeded 
by the present incumbent, Mr. W. W. Bowling, April i, 1887. The company does a 
wholesale business in wooden and willowware, cordage, twines, paper, paper bags, 
brooms, brushes, notions, grocers' sundries, tobacco, cigars, etc. The capital in- 
volved in the business amounts to $100,000, and the trade extends through the States 
of Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, and is steadily expanding into adjacent territory ; 
amounting in volume to upwards of $500,000 annually. There are twenty men in the 
employ, eight of whom are traveling salesmen representing the house in its trade 
territory. Mr. Webb, the presiding genius of this enterprising concern, is from 
Maryland, has been a resident of Kansas City for a number of years, and of the 
State of Missouri for twenty 3'ears. He was formerly engaged in similar business 
at St. Louis and Fort Scott. His long and valuable experience in this line emin- 
ently fits him for the condudl of this important enterprise. Mr. W. W. Bowling, 
the Secretary, is from St. Louis, and has had many years' experience in this line 
also ; he is a business man of ta6l and energy in the discharge of the duties of his 
department of the affairs of the company. The premises now occupied are 50x120 
feet in dimensions, four stories and basement, replete with a diversified stock of 
standard lines of goods and conveniently situated with reference to the receipt and 
shipment of goods, being in direcft communication with railroad switches to all 



The Industries of Kansas City. 119 



lines radiating through their trade territory and the East. The business of this 
house has had a gratifying expansion since the commencement, and the outlook is 
decidedly encouraging for future development of trade. This house is the only 
one in the line in Kansas City and the largest West of St. Louis. Its phenominal 
success is due to consummate care and skill in the management of its affairs, and the 
adoption of correct and honorable business methods on the part of the officers of 
the company. 

J. T. Welden. — Undertaker, Funeral Diredlor, Furnisher and Embalmer; 
920 Walnut Street.— This business was established in 1869 under the firm name of 
Welden & Brickenridge, and changed to its present designation in 1872. Mr. J. T. 
Welden is an adept in his line and does a thriving business in undertaking, and as 
a funeral director he has not his superior in the city. A full and complete assort- 
ment of finishings is constantly kept on hand, as well as caskets of every descrip- 
tion and sarcophagi ; and embalming is done b)' this firm in the most approved 
methods of the art. Six competent assistants are employed, and a very large and 
possibly the largest business in these particular lines is done by this establishment 
of any similar concern in the city. The premises occupied for business purposes 
are eligibly located at 920 Walnut street, 25 x loS feet in area with basement and 
every convenience for the conduct of the business, Mr. Welden having hearses, car- 
riages and horses at his disposal in his establishment with every facility for the 
conduA of funerals. Mr. Welden is a native of the Empire State and removed to 
La Fayette, Ind. at an early age, where he remained until the outbreak of the 
civil war, when he enlisted the volunteer service, in which he remained until its 
close, and subsequently located this business here as already mentioned. He is a 
gentlemen of high business attainments and is well and favorably recognized in 
social as well as business circles of Kansas City. 

W. Eugene Parker. — Real Estate Broker; Sixth and Delaware Streets. 
--Occupying a conspicuous position of prominence in the trade circles of Kansas 
City is Mr. W. Eugene Parker. His present successful business is the gratifying 
outcome of the enterprise which he first established in 1882. Mr. Parker is a mem- 
ber of the Real Estate and Stock Exchange and well known throughout this por- 
tion of the country as a shrewd financier and a man of sterling principles. He 
gives special attention to renting houses, colle(5ling rents and paying taxes. He 
deals largely in inside property, and recently purchased a strip of land near Inde- 
pendence for $100,000. His sales in the city have been very heavy, and the fesult 
has always proven peculiarly satisfactory. Mr. Parker is a native of Maine. He 
has been a resident of Kansas City five years, and was formerly i n the gents' fur- 
nishing business in Boston. 

Weis & Ridge. — Hardware, Stoves and Tinware, Cutlery and Tools, Galvan- 
ized Iron Cornices, Roofing, Etc. ; 1116 Main Street; Cornice Works, 1120 and 1122 
Main Street. — This flourishing industry was established thirteen years ago, but 
three years ago Mr. Henry Weis associated Mr. T. S Ridge with him in the busi- 
ness, the firm assuming its present style. This being an old house, and having 
always dealt in the very best classes of goods and condu6ted its biisiness upon the 
most honorable and business-like principles, its trade is unusually large and ex- 
tends over the States of Missouri, Kansas, Texas and New Mexico, while from fort}- 
to fifty skilled mechanics and eight salesmen are employed in their establishment 
and store. They occupy a four-story building of 25 feet frontage and 116 feet in 
depth, and carry constantly a full and complete stock of all kinds of goods in then 
line ; their hardware, stoves and tinware being worthy of special mention. They 
are sole agents in Kansas City for the "Acorn " Stoves and Ranges, which combine 
such special excellence that they guarantee every one of them to give perfedt satis- 
faction. This firm are also agents for the sale of Fuller and Warren Hot Air Fur- 
naces. Mr. Weis has been a resident of Kansas City for a number of years, and is 
one of the most experienced and reliable stove and hardware men in the cit}^ be- 
sides being a gentleman of superior business attainments. Mr. Ridge is a native 
of Kansas City; at present he is interested in the real estate business, in which he 
has been remarkably successful. He is also an enterprising business man, who 
through business sagacity and foresight has amassed a considerable fortune in the 
latter enterprise. Besides the store and salesroom, on Main street, this firm utilize 



I20 The Industries of Kansas City. 



a plant, located at 1120 and 1122 Holmes street, 48x100 feet in area, completely 
equipped with every essential modern machine and appliance for the execution of 
fine copper and galvanized work. The force of mechanics already referred to are 
selected from the most skilled artisans, Mr. W. C. Hare having supervision of this 
department, a gentlemen of superior pra6tical experience in this line. The follow- 
ing important galvanized and copper work has been executed by this firm for 
prominent buildings : The Coates House and Churchill Block, Eighth street and 
Tracy avenue, being the most notable of these ; the Javis residence and C. F. More 
residence, Hyde Park; Sturdivant Block, Eighth and Brooklyn streets; Beals resi- 
dence, Independence avenue ; Beals' Block, Ninth and Wyandotte streets ; Warder 
Grand Opera House, New England Building, Gibraltar Building, Club House, Bay- 
ard Block and others bear evidence of the consummate skill of this firm. Mr. Wm. 
Thornbound is the efficient manager of the hardware department, and John A. 
Bryant is the cashier and confidential clerk of this firm. 

St James Hotel. — ^J. H. Hewes, Proprietor; Louis Lukes, Manager; 
Corner of Missouri Avenue and Walnut Street. — This old established hotel has 
long been well and favorably known to the traveling public as one of the most 
cempleteljr equipped, comfortable and in every way attradlive hotels in the coun- 
try. It was opened some twenty-five years ago, and passed through several hands, 
and was run for a number of years by Mr. C. L. Anderson, a well known capitalist, 
and finally, in 1886, passed into the hands of Mr. J. H. Hewes as proprietor, since 
which time it has commended itself to public favor by the thorough and efficient 
methods upon which it is managed, the superior chara6ler of its accommodations, 
and the unsurpassed perfection of its appointments. The house is eligibly located 
at the corner of Missouri avenue and Walnut street, and contains 135 handsomely 
furnished, well ventilated and well lighted rooms, as well as twenty bath rooms 
and all the necessary parlors, offices, etc. The appointments of the house include 
the most improved elevators, illumination by eledlric light and gas, and all the 
latest conveniences and adjundls belonging to a first-class, modern hotel. A force 
of 125 trained employes give attention to the wants and requirements of the 
guests, while the menu constantly contains a varied and judicious seledtion from 
the best articles to be found in the market, and the cuisine is not surpassed by any 
hotel in the country. The pradlical management of the business of the hotel is in 
the hands of Mr. Louis Lukes, thoroughly experienced in this department, and to 
whose care and attention, supplementing the endeavors of the proprietor, is 
largely due the great and steadily increasing popularity of the house, while Mr. 
F. J. Crank and Mr. C. W. Whittaker, the clerks, are deservedly popular with the 
traveling public. In all its details the house is stricStly first-class, and its cus- 
tomers include prominent people from all parts of the country, leading business 
men from the East, cattle kings from the West and commercial men from all 
points, and the house is kept full at all times as a consequence of the deserved 
reputation it holds for the superiorit}^ of its attractions. 

John D. Seitz & Co. — Real Estate, Loans and Investments; Room 9, 
Sheidley Building ; Corner of Ninth and Main Streets.— This successful business 
was established in March, 1886, by the brothers John D. Seitz and Benj. A. Seitz, 
and from the first their trade has been excellent, and they predidt a splendid spring 
business in real estate. The property handled by them at present lies mostly in 
the southwest part of the city. They handled half of the Sheidley Park, situated 
between Broadway and Baltimore avenues, and Twenty-fifth and Twenty- seventh 
streets, and which is one of the finest pieces of property in the city. They also 
controlled Seitz Subdivision, a handsome tradl of nine acres lying betwen Troost 
and Tracey avenues, and Twentieth and Twenty-first streets. This property is all 
sold, and some of it resold at handsome profits over first cost. They are at present 
handling Lincoln Park, a beautiful tract of seventy-five lots, each twenty-five feet 
front, lying between Twenty-seventh and Twenty-ninth streets and Dripps and Sum- 
mit streets, and which is reached by the Southwest boulevard and the new Summit 
avenue road. This property will go on the market in the spring, and will sell off 
rapidly, as all the property managed by these gentlemen does. They also handle 
farm and acre property, lying principally between Kansas City and Argentine, and 
they do a large commission business for their numerous customers in the city, the 
adjacent States and the East. They are both admirable business men, and stand 
high in commercial circles. 



The Industries op Kansas City. 



121 



S. E. Chamberlain. — Architect; Rooms 26 and 27, Long's Building. — Mr. 
Chamberlain has been using his pencil for the benefit of Kansas City for nine 
years. He is an adept in the profession and manj- beautiful dwellings in the city 
owe their architectural beauty to his tasteful designing. Mr. Chamberlain hails- 
from the northern part of Ohio, having left there some time before the war. He 
established himself in Chicago at the outset, and from that center did most of his 
work outside of the city. He has executed contracts all the way from Vermont to 
Texas and Oregon, and the high efficiency of his work has gained for him an 
enviable reputation in this line, all through the country where his engagements 
called him. He is a natural architect, and thoroughh- educated and experienced, 
and those entrusting their building interests to him will be gratified with the 
results. The consummate skill displaj-ed, and the conscientious methods employed 
in the execution of his work, have no parallel in this section of the country. 

The Central Bank of Kansas City.— J. w. Trueworthy, President; 
Thomas S. Ridge, Vice-President; J. M. Hamilton, Cashier; Central Bank Building; 

Corner of Tenth and Main Streets. — One 
of the most prominent of the recent 
additions to the banking facilities of 
Kansas City was made in the incorpora- 
tion on Februar}- ist, 18S7, of the Central 
Bank of Kansas City, and from that time 
to the present it has done an active and 
prosperous business in all departments of 
legitimate banking, including the loaning 
of money on good securit}-, discounting 
approved commercial paper, issuing of 
exchange on all the principal European 
cities, dealing in government, State, 
municipal and railroad bonds, local 
securities. United States land warrants 
and tax bills. At the time of its last 
statement made October ist, 1SS7, the 
bank had resources amounting to 1^219,- 
351.03, at that time having a paid up 
capital of $50,000, and a surplus of 
$3,647.20. Its deposits subject to check 
then amounted to $127,621.36, and its 
time deposits to $3,910. Since October the capital of the bank has been increased 
to $100,000, further facilitating the business of the bank. It occupies the first floor 
of the four-story Central Bank Building, at the corner of Tenth and Main streets, 
and has a full clerical force employed. The officers and directors of the bank are 
all well known and prominent business men of this city, Mr. J. W. Trueworthy, the 
President, being a leading capitalist, and Mr. Thomas S. Ridge, the Vice-President, 
being of the well known hardware firm of Wise & Ridge. The other members of 
the Board are Messrs. B. Miller, furniture; W. J. Scott, capitalist; R. H. Hamilton, 
attorney-at-law; L. E. Erwin, of the Erwin & Eaton Crockery Co.; C. T. Collins, 
attorney-at-law; Theo. Stagner, of the Stagner Investment Co., and P. C. Cowling, 
H. Gross, Conrad Stumpf, E. E. McMeacham, \V. E. Ridge and J. M. Hamilton, 
Cashier of the bank. Mr. Hamilton is a banker of long and practical experience, 
who brings to the performance of his duties a thoroiigh knowledge of all the 
details of banking, and contributes in an important measure to the efficiency of the 
bank, which is justly regarded as one of the most substantial and promising of the 
financial institutions of the city. 

The Argentine Real Estate, Investment and Loan Company. 

— Rooms 13 and 14 Wales Building, Northwest Corner of Sixth and Delaware 
Streets. — This association was organized and established in June, 1SS7, and w^as then 
incorporated with a capital stock of $500,000. The trade is principally located 
in Missouri and Kansas, and its business thus far has been perfectly satisfactory, 
with a constant increase in volume. Its specialties are the purchase and sale of 
real estate, negotiating loans on safe and favorable terms, and the company is 
prepared to make large investments in real propertj-. They have seven efficient 




The Industries of Kansas City. 



assistants employed, and transact every description of business pertaining to a first- 
class real estate and loan agency. Mr. Geo. Sheidley, President, formerly lived in 
Ohio, but has been a resident of Kansas City for many years, and is at present the 
owner of large real estate interests, being engaged in many prominent enterprises 
here, among which is the Kansas City Radiator and Iron Foundry Co. Mr. N. 
McAlpine, Vice-President, has been a resident of Wyandotte, Kas.,for fifteen years, 
engaged in many prominent enterprises, and is Treasurer of the Kansas City 
Radiator and Iron Foundry Co. Mr. W. L,. Powell is a native of Illinois, but has 
been a resident of Kansas City three j'ears, is connected with the firm of Osborn & 
Powell, real estate dealers, and holds stock in the Radiator and Iron Foundry here. 
Mr. W. J. Anderson, Treasurer, has been a resident of this city for many years, and 
is at present Cashier of the Bank of Kansas City. The lands of the company are 
located at Argentine, and comprise 300 acres, contiguous to the tracks of the 
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and Southern Kansas railways, and are desirable for 
manufacturing, residence and business purposes. 

T. Lee Adams. — Wholesale Fruit and Garden Seeds; 419 Walnut Street, 
East Side Market Square. — Prominent among the farm and garden industries of 
Kansas City, one deserving special mention is that conducted by Mr. T. Lee Adams, 
who founded the enterprise some six years ago. During Mr. Adams' residence in 
Kansas City, a period of thirteen years, he has been continuously engaged in this 
business, formerly in the employ of Trumbull, Reynolds & Allen who carried on a 
similar business in the present location upwards of ten years, and are now located 
in the West bottoms. Mr. Adams is agent for D. Landreth & Sons' Garden Seeds. 
He also deals in oats, hay, corn and feed, and handles farm and spring wagons and 
buggies, also agricultural implements. This house employs no traveling men, but 
does a considerable business through mail orders, all through Missouri, Kansas 
and Nebraska, with a constantly increasing volume of trade. Mr. Adams is from 
Warren County, Ohio, the garden spot of the old western reservation, and now one 
of the finest agricultural regions of the great State of Ohio. His field of operation 
is now the fertile plains of Kansas and Missouri, fruitful hills and vales where 
within the next decade a million hardy husbandmen will reap the bountiful 
reward of their toil from many a golden harvest field, and rich ripe fruits from 
over-burdened orchards. 

Buford & George Implement Company. — Agricultural Imple- 
ments, Farm and Spring Wagons, etc. ; 1310, 1312 and 1314 West Thirteenth Street. — 
This industry had its origin in 1878, through the instrumentality of the Rock 
Island Plow Co., of Rock Island, 111., and the Farmers' Friend Manufacturing Co., 
of Dayton, O., whose product was at first handled by the firm of B. D. Buford & Co., 
of this city. The latter firm was reorganized and duly incorporated in 1883, under 
the present corporate designation, with a capital of $100,000 : Messrs. Edward 
George, President; G. A. Marlay, Vice-President; and H. B. Duke, Secretary. The 
important feature of the business consists in the handling of the products of the two 
above-named companies, which have obtained a wide celebrity all through this and 
tributary territory, as also a general line of farm implements and machinery of 
other first-class manufacturers. The trade of this house has had a rapid growth, 
and now covers the States of Missouri, Kansas, Indian Territory, Colorado, Texas, 
and New Mexico, with a steadily increasing volume of business. Their warehouse 
facilities are ample, having a four-story and basement building, 50x150 feet in 
dimensions, at their disposition, with platform and switch approaches, covering an 
area of 33x120 feet surface. Mr. E. George has been a resident of Kansas City five 
years. He is a native of Missouri, a gentleman of rare business qualifications 
and practical experience. Mr. H. B. Duke, has been a resident upwards of seven 
years, and hails from St. Louis, Mo. He has been in the implement business for 
a number of years, and is especially adapted to the conduct of the affairs of the 
company. Mr. J. A. Marlay is a resident of Dayton, O., and Vice-President of the 
The Farmers' Friend Manufacturing Company of that city. There are sixteen 
men in the employ of the company, four of whom take care of the interests of the 
company in their trade territory. The monthly pay roll aggregates upwards of 
$1,500, and the substantial trade of one-half million dollars is secured annually, 
and constantly increasing in volume under the careful and judicious direction of 
these practical and sagacious business men. 



The Industries of Kansas City. 123 



George R. Barse & Co.— Live stock Commission Merchants; Room 
27, First Floor, Stock Exchange Building.— Second to none among the live 
stock commission houses in the Stock Exchange, is that of George R. Barse & Co., 
established by the senior member of the firm in 1871. This establishment is one of 
the largest in its line in the city, having an ample and competent force of employes, 
and abundant facilities for the care and handling of the stock consignments of the 
house. Its patronage, outside of the city, covers the States of Missouri, Kansas, 
Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, Indian Territory and Texas. The annual trade 
of the house amounts to $3,000,000, and consists v^^holly of commission business ; 
a large portion of which is done through correspondence, the company solicitors 
being stationed at definite points in grazing regions of the South and Southwest. 
The house also guarantees personal attention to all business entrusted to its care, 
and upon request, furnishes means to assist in marketing stock. Mr. George R. 
Barse has resided in Kansas City eighteen years. He is a native of Michigan, 
having enlisted in the Fifth Michigan Cavalry and served three years in the Union 
Army ; during which time he was promoted from the rank of private to that of 
captain, captured and confined in Libby prison 14 months, escaping four times and 
successively recaptured, the last time reaching the Union lines in safety. Being 
discharged" from the service, he engaged for a season in the grain forwarding 
industry in Illinois, removing thence to this city. Besides attending to his business 
in the house, he is also Vice-President of the Beals Land and Cattle Co. and director 
and stockholder in the Union National Bank of Kansas City, and interested in 
manv other public enterprises. The supervision of the office business is entrusted 
to the care of Mr. J. H. Waite, a native of the old Green Mountain State, who 
removed West in 1S54, served in the Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry, and was promoted 
to a captaincy in 1863. Upon returning home, he soon afterward came farther West, 
and in 1875 entered the domain of the Kansas City Stock Yards Co. as shipping 
master, resigning that position to accept the place in the present house in 1882. 
The house has become one of the most prominent features of the Stock Exchange, 
and the business principles upon which it is founded will continue to win for it 
prosperity and success. 

George W. Burden. — Real Estate, Stock and Loan Broker; Room 411 
Alamo Building, Corner of Seventh and Delaware Streets. — This enterprise was 
established in July, 1887, by the present proprietor, and is now doing a perfectly 
satisfactory business, financially and otherwise. Its deals are principally in city 
and addition residence and business properties, although it does considerable 
business in the purchase, sale and exchange of farming realties throughout 
Missouri and Kansas. It is prepared to make loans of any reasonable amount on 
mortgage or gilt-edge personal security, for an extended time, with lowest possible 
rates of interest ; it also handles bonds, and bank stock, of which it makes a 
specialty, for which it is endowed with peculiar facilities. Among its various real 
estate appointments is the sale agency of Rowel's addition ; whilst in its loan 
business it has special arrangements for" investments on Argentine vacant property 
or for building purposes. Mr. Burden is a native of Missouri, and has been a resi- 
dent of Kansas City six years, during which time he has been largely employed in 
the merfcantile industry here. By his straightforward and prompt manner of 
transacting all business entrusted to his care, to which he gives his individual 
attention, Mr. Burden has won for himself an enviable reputation in business 
circles. 

Associated Tailors.— 565 Walnut Street.— This house was opened in 
1885, by J. A. Kitzinger and Frank Seidel, who are both young, energetic and prac- 
tical business men, who are thoroughly experienced in their business, and who 
have secured a good trade in the city by their business push, and in the country 
through traveling men. Their place of business is situated near the leading 
hotels and the business part of the city, and they have alread}^ become widely and 
favorably known as ambitious and honorable nien, and their house is deservedly 
popular and well worthy of the high reputation it is last gaining. They make a 
specialty of gentlemen's fine garments. Mr. Seidel, a member of this firm, is 
about to make a trip to Europe, with a view to obtaining high grade suitings from 
the best foreign looms. Mr. Seidel is an expert is this line, and his associate is 
equally efficient in other departments of this artistic industry. 



124 ^H:ic Industries op Kansas City. 



L. B. Austin. ^The People's Grocery; 20 East Fourth Street. — This well 
known and very popular business was established in 1S79, ^y the present enterpris- 
ing and successful owner, Mr. L. B. Austin. He very aptly named it the People's 
Grocery, for he sells at the lowest prices continually, and this he is able to do be- 
cause of his admirable system of buying. He has the cash to buy largely at any 
time, and watches the market closely for opporttinities to buy cheap, and when 
such a chance presents itself he purchases heavily, not unfrequently laj-ing in a 
year's supply of a certain line of goods when he can get them at low prices. He 
IS thus easil}- able to undersell the trade and yet make good profits. He uses on 
an average five cars of flour and three of sugar every month, while at times upward 
of forty caddies of tea are sold in the same time. He makes a specialty of buying 
large lots of goods and making a drive sale on the market. The People's Grocery 
gives employment to fifteen hands, and three wagons are kept busy delivering 
goods all over the cit)-. The trade of the house is with grocers and families in the 
city, and goods are sent to Independence, Westport, Olathe, Argentine, and into 
Clay and Platte counties, and other surrounding places. Sometimes orders come 
to the house from Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. The biisiness of the. People's 
Grocery occtipies four floors of a building 25x100 feet. Mr. Austin does not em- 
ploy any travelers, finding that business will come in if goods are sold at the. right 
prices, and the public are kept well posted on these by judicious advertising. He 
came to this city from Louisville, where he was engaged in the grocery business. 
He is a carpenter by trade, and once ran upon the Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland 
rivers, but is to-day one of Kansas Citj-'s most sticcessful business men. 

A. D. Chappell. — Real Estate and Loan Broker; 704 Delaware Street. — 
Established in the spring of 1887, this enterprise has met -with, unusual success. 
Mr. Chappell's transactions in real estate alone amount to upwards of four hundred 
thousand dollars since the inception of his business. His transactions in this 
line are mainl)' within the States of Missouri and Kansas. One sale of realty at 
Brighton Hill addition to the city involved the sum of $90,000, and other large sales 
have been effected from time to time of valuable tracts of land. He is also prepared 
to negotiate loans of money in sums to suit the borrower upon acceptable security, at 
reasonable interest rates. Mr. Chappell has been a resident of Kansas City four 
years. He is a Tennessean by birth and education. Prior to engaging in his pres- 
ent enterprise he was connected with the oil business at St. Louis, Mo., and Kansas 
City; in the latter place with the firm of Speer, Jones & Co., who sold out their 
business here in 18S7, when he embarked in this new departure. His success in 
this undertaking is due to care and consummate skill in the conduct of his affairs, 
and the exercise of honorable business methods in all his dealings. Three com- 
petent clerks are in the employ of Mr. Chappell. 

J. S. Abercrombie. — Storage for Merchandise and Household Goods"; 12 
and 14 East Third Street. — Mr. Abercrombie opened up these storage rooms Decem- 
ber 1st, 1887, and makes a specialty of storing general merchandise and hoiisehold 
goods, with special rates to shippers, which should induce them to favor his store- 
rooms with consignments. His rooms are good and clean, and he occupies three 
stories and the basement of a brick building, 50x125 feet, fitted up with elevator, 
and every convenience for the safe and expeditious handling of goods. Mr. Aber- 
crombie came from Topeka, Kas., where he was connected with the Topeka Storage 
Company, so that he is thoroughly experienced in his business, and reliable in his 
methods. This is the only exclusive storage house in the city. 

Schilling & Fuller. — Wholesale Dealers in Grain, Hay, Feed and Coal; 
12 13 Mulberry Street. — To be prominent in a community like this implies more 
than is usually attached to the expression. The house of Schilling & Fuller, 
though known under the present style of firm name but a few years, dates its 
original foundation back to 1856, when C. H. Schilling first came to Kansas. Mr. 
Schilling is a native of England. Upon his arrival in America, he remained in 
New York for some time, and from thence he came to the Far West where, both in 
Kansas and Missouri, he was engaged as a dealer in coal, grain, etc., many years 
prior to his final removal to Kansas City. Mr. J. W. Fuller, a long resident of 
Kansas City, became associated with Mr. Schilling in 1886, and is a business man of 
tact and energy. He was at one time Sheriff of Edwards County, Kansas. The 



The Industries of Kansas City. 



125 



firm occupy a two-stor}- building, 40x125 feet in dimensions and thoroughly 
equipped throughout. Their trade covers Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, and 
amounts to $150,000 annually. They have a capacity for handling five car loads 
daily, and thirteen men are employed by the firm. Kansas City has profited not a 
little from the enterprise and libe'rality'of this firm, and her citizens justly esteem 
and commend it. They can proudly point to their record as a recommendation, 
and cite their many patrons as their most satisfactory reference. 




North Orrison & Company.— Furniture, Carpets, Curtain Goods, etc. ; 
Northeast Corner of Sixth and Main Streets.— The rapidly increasing population of 
the great West, and especially that portion of this vast and fertile region that is 
tributary to our voung metropolis has been attracted by its manifold advantages 
for sustaining such increase. This city is therefore selected for residence by the 
tens of thousands of intelligent and enterprising classes from the somewhat over- 
crowded East, who know the value, and appreciate the importance of elegance and 
comfort in the domestic economy. To these, Kansas City affords the very best 
facilities, even unto the most fastidious. The furniture industry is not wanting in 
this respect. High art in this line has its representatives here. In this connection 
special mention is due to the grand enterprise so well and favorably known under 
the firm name of North Orrison & Co., who by dint of care and consummate skill, 



126 The Industries of Kansas City 



supplemented by long experience, ample means and business sagacity, have built 
up a colossal local trade in fine artistic furniture, carpets and curtain goods, both 
domestic and imported, unique articles of home adornment, bric-a-brac, etc., in 
assortment and elegance of style, too numerous to describe in a limited space, 
but by reference to a most complete illustrated catalogue published by the house, 
every article is faithfully represented and described, so that the would-be purchaser, 
has only to call at their premises to verify his impressions by a careful inspection 
of the display of fine and costly goods, wares and fabrics there seen. A brief 
survey of this establishment and its accessories will give a faint idea of its magnitude 
and importance to the reader. The buildings, two in number, are respectiveh^ six 
and four stories in height with basements. The main building fronting on Main 
street 48 feet and back to an annex 140 feet, is completely stocked from cellar to 
roof. The other building or annex is of the same dimensions but only four stories 
high, fronting on Walnut street, Nos. 556 and 558, and is utilized for storage 
purposes of surplus stock, and setting up ftirniture, etc. The main structure is in 
the highest style of architecture, replete with every modern convenience in the way 
of elevators, electric lights and plate glass fronts, and ornate with tasteful displays 
of fine goods. The office appointments are commensiirate with this display. Sixty 
efficient salesman, clerks and assistants are in the employ. A more complete and 
satisfactory system for exhibiting goods, attending to the wants of customers and 
expediting business, does not prevail in any other similar establishment in the 
country, and be it said to the credit and honor of this enterprising house, that it is 
not excelled in the line anywhere in the United States. The gentlemen of this 
firm stand high in social as well as commercial circles of the Gate City. 

Crittenden & Williams. — Bankers and Brokers, Real Estate and Loans ; 
Office, 702 Delaware Street. — This enterprise was established for business in May, 
1887, by Messrs. Huston Crittenden and John F. Williams, Jr., gentlemen who are 
thoroughly conversant with every detail of the interests of Kansas City. Mr. 
Crittenden hails from Kentucky and has resided in this city about three years. He 
was formerly deputy clerk of the Kansas City Court of Appeals. Mr. Williams has 
been a resident since the spring of 1887, soon after his arrival embarking into the 
present enterprise with Mr. Crittenden. They are both young and enterprising 
business men — well and favorably recognized in business circles of this city. The 
real estate of which they control the sale consists of some of the most eligibly 
located and desirable residence and business property in the city and vicinity. They 
also own in fee considerable valuable property within the city limits. Their 
transactions in real estate are mosth' local, and among the recent sales effected 
may be mentioned that of Hunter Place, located on South Holmes street, $50,000; 
sales of property on Nineteenth street, $25,000; several lots on Troost street for 
$10,000 and $15,000 each, and other cit}- property ranging in price from $2,000 to 
$50,000, thus indicating their adaptabilitj' for the efficient conduct of this business. 
The success of this yoilng firm is due to consummate skill and commendable busi- 
ness tact in the conduct of their affairs. They also do a considerable business in 
banking, brokerage and loans, for which this firm possess superior facilities. 

J. A. Bachman & Brother. — Wholesale Tobacconists and Dealers in 
Foreign and Domestic Wines; 541 Delaware Street. — The prime object of this vol- 
ume is to record the history of successful houses, and in pursuit of that object 
attention is called to the above well and honorably known firm of J. A. Bachman & 
Bro., who have attained an enviable position in the business circles of the city by 
their upright, fair dealing, in the purest quality of goods, and at prices low as the 
lowest. The house of J. A. Bachman & Bro. was established in 1864, and is the 
pioneer enterprise of the kind in Kansas City. They employ eight men, make a 
specialty of the choicest cigars, tobacco and wines, and their trade territory 
embraces the States of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona 
Territor)-, and Indian Territory. Their store is a perfect model of system and 
completeness, 23x70 feet in dimensions, six stories high, and every floor stocked 
with goods. Messrs. J. A. Bachman and J. G. Bachman are natives of Switzerland. 
They came to America in 1852, and first settled in Louisville, where they clerked 
until coming to Kansas City, in 1857. Both are gentlemen of sterling principles 
and perseverance. J. A. Bachman was at one time a director of the First National 
Bank. 



The Industries of Kansas City. 127 



NorcroSS Brothers. — Stock and Plain Brick Manufacturers; Corner of 
Second Street and Broadway. — Brickniaking is one of the industries that has been 
a principal factor in making Kansas City what it is to-day, and employs more labor 
and a greater amount of capital than any other enterprise within its limits. When 
it is remembered that ever}' brick contained in the walls of residences, manufac- 
tories, business houses and public buildings was manufactvired within the city, a 
faint idea may be had of the extent of this industry, to say nothing of the millions 
of this production that is annually exported. The manufacturing industry of 
Norcross Brothers, located at Broadway and Second streets, with Mr. C. D. Arm- 
strong as manager, was established August ist, 1887, and it now gives employment 
to forty-seven men, with an average weekly pay roll of f8oo, and enjoys an output 
of 40,000 brick per da}'. Its trade is principally in the city, but it also does a large 
business in the sale of its products to surrounding cities and towns. The yard 
upon which the plant is located contains one and one-half acres, and is thoroughly 
equipped with all modern machinery for an extensive manufacture, together with 
all necessary buildings for storing the products. There is no more reliable firm in 
the country than that referred to, the individual members being gentlemen 
of high moral character, strict integrity, and withal possessed of large means 
with which to conduct their business. Mr. C. D. Armstrong, manager, is a native 
of Illinois, has been engaged with this company two years, and has been a resident 
of this city since the organization of the present enterprise. He is a man of energy 
and well-known integrit}-, whose promptness and reliability will secure for the firm 
the patronage of many who do business in this line. 

Charles B. Norris & Co. — Headquarters for the Sale and Exchange of 
Kansas City Property, Farms and Merchandise ; 800 Delaware Street, Re un No. 4. — 
The judicious and careful handling of real estate, both in buying, lling and 
exchanging, requires sound judgment and business tact, those thus eng ged being 
entrusted with a line of business which exceeds in magnitude any other single class 
of business in Kansas City. The present enterprise was established in March, 1887, 
and has been favored with success, financially and otherwise, while its business is 
constantly increasing. This firm give their individual and undivided attention to 
all the varied details of real estate transactions, and are, therefore, enabled to 
conduct their affairs expeditiously and satisfactorily. They deal largely in addition 
and city property, as also farming realties throughout Missouri and Kansas, buying, 
selling and exchanging all manner of real estate. They make a specialty of placing 
loans, of unlimited amounts, on first-class real or personal securities, particularly 
on city and farm properties. Among their recent transactions is the exchange of 
640 acres of farming land with stock, for a block of buildings on Brooklyn avenue, 
this city, amounting in value to $90,000 ; also, other large exchange sales, ranging 
from $30,000 to $100,000. They have every facility for large and small investments, 
and embrace every reliable opportunity with avidity. Mr. Charles B. Norris, senior 
member of the firm, is a native of Kentucky, and was raised in Missouri, where he 
followed the occupation of farmer for a number of years. He has been a resident 
of Kansas City eighteen months, and has gained for himself an enviable reputation 
in business circles here. 

Brown Brothers. — Pheasant Cigar Factory, Detroit, Mich. ; James W. Kirk, 
Manager of Kansas City Branch ; 314 West Sixth Street. — This house, which 
holds a prominent place among the leading cigar manufacturing concerns in the 
country, was established five years ago at Detroit, Mich., where it has since built 
up a large and steadily growing trade as a consequence of the superior character of 
its product, its brands being known through the country as unsurpassed in quality, 
and prime favorites with consumers. Among the leading brands produced at the 
factory are the "Pheasant," "Three Emperors," "Supreme Seal," "Spanish Pink," 
"C. O. D.," "Extra Edition," "Side Issue," " Capitola," "Cigarros," "Detroit," 
" The Detroit Free Press," " Sweet William," "Pee Wee," " Return Trip Tickets," 
"Happy Thought," "Royal Tips," "Great Two for 5 Cents," "Great Five for 10 
Cents," etc. The superior quality of these goods have caused their popularity to 
extend over a greatly expanded territory, and in October last, in order to accom- 
modate the largely increasing demand for these goods throughout the entire West, 
a branch house was established in this city, and placed under the efficient super- 
vision of Mr. James W. Kirk, who had been for four 3'ears engaged with the Detroit 



128 Thjv Industries of Kansas City. 



house, aiifl who, since coining here, has already built up a large and prosperous 
tra<le in Dakota, Missouri, Nel^raska, Kansas, Colorado, Arkansas and Iowa, in 
which four traveling salesmen represent the house, and to this territory Texas, 
New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana and I'tah, will be added in the spring, and 
visited by the rejjresentatives of the house. The stock carried at this branch 
einbr.'ices about one-lialf million cigars on an average, and the popularity of the 
cigars may be inferred from tlie fact tliat in tlie first six weeks after the opening of 
this brancli, $i-j,<x'<> wortli was sold. Mr. Kirk is a thoroughly practical and 
ex])erienced man in tliis Ijusiiiess, to which he tlevotes his entire attention with the 
result that tlie business of the branch is rapidly increasing. Since the business 
was established in Detroit, it has increased every month from 50 to 75 per cent, 
over the ])receding year. The firm im])orts direct, aiul buys domestic tobacco 
direct from the growers, and sells to the retail trade exclusively. They will occupy 
their new factory, which is com])lete in every respect, and with facilities equalling 
thosi- of any factory in tlie country, about May 1st, 1888. 

B. H. Brooks. Architect; Room 30, Beals Building, Northwest Corner of 
Niiitli and WyandoUc Streets. I"or seventeen years Mr. Brooks was actively 
engaged in tlic nr.iclici.' of liis ])rofession in Boston, Mass., but came to Kansas 
City and entered into l)usiness here in 1885. Much of the architectural improve- 
ment in the city in the last two years is the -result of his skill and artistic taste, and 
no gentleman of his profession can show better proofs of the high class of his 
work than Mr. Brooks. Among the buildings erected here u])on his designs and 
under liis diri-clion, may be mentioned the magnificent residence of Mr. D. T. 
Beals, on IinU-peiKkMice avenue, tlie Beals Building, northwest corner of Ninth and 
Wyandotte streets, tlie residence of Bislioj) lleiidrix, Kmanuel Ba])tist Church on 
Woodland .iveiiue, and others. These are only a few buildings designed and 
superintendi-l by him ; but to enumerate all the fine structures which owe their 
beauty and ..tility to his knowledge and skill, would tax 1)eyoiid reasonable limit 
the space of this volume. It is suiricient to say that a large number of the finest 
business and residence structures of the city are of his designing, and owe their 
coiivi-nience ami taste to the hai)i)y com'bination of the practical with the artistic, 
whicli is characteristic of all his work. Although doing a most gratifying city 
business, his transactions are not confined to this locality, but extend throughout 
Missouri and Kansas. lie is now i)re])ariiig ])laiis and estimates of several im])ort- 
aiit slructures whicli rei)reseiit a very large outlay of money to be spent in adding 
new arcliilechirai triiim])hs to his well-earned reputation. Mr. Brooks is a native 
of Boston, Mass., studied artdiitecture for a number of years with a prominent 
architect of that city, graduated at the Boston High School, and has been a 
residtul of Kansas City since 1885, 

C. H. Brown & Co. Real Kstate Agents; Room 37, Water Works 
Buibling. 'fhis will known firm was established in 1886, and has, by virtue of the 
hoiioiable and iiil(.;!!ig(.'iil cfi'orts i)ut forth by the members, already assumed a 
Ijioniineiil and lasting i)lace in the highest commercial circles of Kansas City. Mr. 
C. II. Brown is a native of New \'oik, but has been a resident here for three years, 
Me was previously engaged as a dealer in hardware, in which business his present 
partner, Mr. I*<. N. Burr, was associated. These gentlemen make a specialty of 
inside property, and also deal extensively in farm and town property at Randolph, 
Mo. 1 hey are enteri)risiiig l)usiness men, interested in everything that pertains to 
the i)rogress and development of their adopted city. 

Henry Albers. — Wholesale Flour; 306 Delaware Street. — This enterprise 
was founded in .\ugust, 1886, by Mr. Heiirv Albers, who hails from the State of 
Illinois, where he was engaged in the nulling business for upwards of twenty 
years, at Warsaw. A cajjital of f 2o,ooti is invested in this business, and an annual 
trade of ui)w(ird of ;p25o,ixx) is done, mostly local, but extending to adjacent country 
districts, the volume of trade steadily increasing. Mr. Albers has nine men em- 
ployed, and of these are ex])erienced traveling salesman, who represents the house 
111 its trade territory. The S])eci.'ilties handled are the following superior brands : 
" rillsbiuy's Best." " Sui)erlalive." "While Loaf," and Crosby's "AAA," all hard 
wheat baker's Hour, for which Mr. Albers is sole agent. He is also agent for the 
Topeka Mill and l^evator Co., luter-Ocean Mills, of Topeka, Kas., and Wamego 



The Industries of Kansas City. 



129 



Mill and Elevator Co.. Wamef^o, Kas. The following brands of flour constitute 
part of the stock in trade, besides those already mentioned : " Queen of the Pantry," 
"Jack Frost," " Leiter Patent," "Smoky Hill Patent," "A i," " Bonanza," "Ilack- 
nev," " Buffalo," " Royal King," " Magnolia," and " Rose Bud." The success 
attending Mr. Alber's business venture in this line has met with merited results 
by reason of care and skill in the direction of his affairs, and the honorable 
methods adopted in securing trade. He is well known and highly esteemed iu 
commercial circles of this citv, and his continued success is a foregone conclusion. 




The Eagle Manufacturing Company.— Manufacturers of Agricul- 
tural Implements, and Forwarders of Carriages, Buggies, PhiL-tons, Surreys, etc.; 

Branch Houses : Kansas Citv, Mo.; Council 
Bluffs, la.; Dallas, Tex.; Little Rock, Ark.; 
Office and Depot Warehouse, Tenth and 
Hickory Streets; Factory, Davenport, la. — 
This great western industry was founded 
in 1866 at Davenport, la., and duly incor- 
porated under the State law with a ca])ital 
of $250,000, of which 1^150. 000 is paid up. 
The availa1)le means of this comji.-iny is 
upwards of one half million dollars if they 
desired to draw on their outside resources. 
The officers of the company are Messrs. E. 
P. Lynch, President, G. H. French, Secre- 
tary, and T. O. Swiney, Treasurer. S. B. 
Stokeley is resident manager of the Kansas 
City house. An annual business is done of 
upwards of $500,000, embracing the trade 
territory of all the States and Territories 
west of the Mississippi river. There are 
seven men in the employ at this point, four 
of whom take care of the interests of the 
house in its trade territor}-. The branch 
depot was estaljlished here in i<S8o, its object being to facilitate the rapidly 
expanding business of the factory, created by the great demand for its product, 
Kansas City affording unusual advantages as a distributing center for the great 
Southwest. The premises occupied for business ])urposes here, consist of a sub- 
stantial five-story and l^asement brick building 6oxi<X) feet in dimensions, com])Ietely 
equipped with every modern appliance and convenience for safe and expeditious 
receipt and shipment of goods, switch tracks, 96 feet in length, being conveniently 
located and connecting with every railroad running to and from tliis city. The 
depot handles the regular product of the Davenport factory, which consists of 
plows, harrows, Golden Eagle Ctiltivators, rakes, stalk cutters. Lister's Cotton 
Planters, double shovels, etc. The company publish an illustrated catalogue which 
gives full and explicit information concerning all goods carried in stock and 
handled in the business. This establishment ranks as one of the largest and the most 
completely representative industry in its line in the city. The officers are all resi- 
dents of Davenport la.; S. B. Stokeley, the manager, resides here. Under his careful 
management the company have acquired a strong foothold in the territory covered 
from this point. Mr. Stokeley is a Pennsylvanian by birth and education, and has l)een 
engaged in the implement business for fifteen years, and with this com})any five 
years. He is also a stockholder in the company, and a gentleman thoroughly 
conversant with every detail of the business under his charge, and occupying a 
commanding position in commei.nal circles. 

Barton Brothers.— Wholesale Boots and Shoes; 519 and 521 Delaware 
Street. — The volume of its Imsiness and the extent of the territory covered by its 
trade gives this firm a deserved prominence among the most extensive of^ the 
•wholesale houses of Kansas City. The business was originally established in 1878, 
by the firm of Victor B. Buck & Co., of which firm Mr. Kimber L. Barton was an 
employe from the start, his brother, Mr. George A. Barton, becoming connected 
•with the house three years later. In 18S1 Mr. Kimber L. Barton became a member 
of the firm of Victor B. Buck & Co., his brother, Mr. George A. Barton being a 



130 The Industries of Kansas City. 



traveling salesman for the firm. In Augnst, 1SS6, INIessrs. Kimber L. and George- 
A. Barton purchased the entire business, assuming the present style, and were- 
joined, in December, 1S87, by their brother, Mr. William Barton, -vv-iio had previ- 
ously been a member of the Scott-Jones Hat Co., of St. Louis. The premises- 
occupied by the firm embraces a six-story building, 40x150 feet in dimensions,, 
equipped with every convenience and accessory calculated to aid or expedite the 
operations of the business, heated by steam, lighted by electricity and provided 
with elevators and every facility for carrying on the business. The stock embraces 
everything in the line of boots, shoes and rubbers, including the best products of 
the most noted manufacturers, and a force of twenty-five clerks and assistants 
is employed in the house, while a full staff of traveling salesmen represent the 
firm in a trade territory embracing Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, New 
and Old Mexico, Arizona, Indian Territory, Texas and Arkansas, in all of which 
the firm is favorably known to the trade. Mr. Kimber L. Barton takes charge of 
the financial affairs and the buying department, while Mr. George A. Barton super- 
vises the sales department, and Mr. William Barton the credit department. Mr. 
Kimber L. Barton, in addition to his interest in this firm, is a director of the 
German-American National Bank. The Barton Brothers are natives of Glasgow, 
Mo., where they were trained to business pursuits under the supervision of their 
father, Kiinber L. Barton, who died several }-ears ago. Thoroughly practical and 
experienced, and conducting their business upon fair and accurate methods, the 
trade of the firm is steadily growing, as a result of the satisfactory character of 
their dealings with the trade. 

A. C. Arnold. — Wholesale and Retail Druggist and Apothecary ; Northwest 
Corner of Fifth and Main Streets. — The well-known and eligibly located drug 
establishment at the northwest corner of Fifth and Main streets, was opened in 
1865, and conducted by other parties until 1877, when Messrs. Ford & Arnold be- 
came proprietors, b}' whom the business was continiied until 18S4, when, upon the 
withdrawal of Mr. Ford from the firm, Mr. Arnold became the sole proprietor ot 
the business. Mr. Arnold came to this city in 1877, from Sedalia, where he had 
been engaged in the drug business, and is a thoroughly practical and experienced 
man in all the departments of this business, a registered pharmacist and a business 
man of superior attainments. He has a force of seven clerks and assistants, 
including four registered pharmacists, among them being Mr. Adolph Lahme, who 
has been continuously employed in this house for the past fifteen years, and is 
considered one of the most competent prescription clerks in Missouri. The stock 
embraces everything in the line of staple drugs and chemicals, all approved pro- 
prietary articles, a complete line of surgical instruments and appliances, and 
everything pertaining to the lines of druggists' sundries ; all of which he sells at 
wholesale and retail. A specialty is made of the purity of goods, and all drugs pro- 
cured at this establishment will be found reliable. Mr. Arnold is the city contractor 
for drugs and hospital supplies, and furnishes all the hospitals with goods in this 
line. He carries a large and complete stock of foreign and domestic cigars, and 
also keeps on hand a full supply of veterinary specifics. As a consequence of the 
completeness and superior quality of his stock, the close attention paid to all the 
details of the business and the uniform accuracy and reliability of his methods, 
Mr. Arnold enjoys the confidence and approval of the community. 

C. H. Carpenter & Co. — Real Estate, insurance. Rental and Loan 
Agents; 511 Minnesota Avenue; Telephone 1083; Kansas City, Kas. — Among the 
reliable real estate and insurance firms of this city, special mention is due to C. H. 
Carpenter & Co., the individual members of which are Messrs. C. H. Carpenter, 
the founder of the enterprise, F. H. Baker and E. H. Carpenter, his worthy associ- 
ates in business. Commencing in 1884, Mr. C. H. Carpenter conducted the business 
until 1887, when he received into copartnership the associates above named. The 
firm is doing a general real estate, insurance and loan business, which is not con- 
fined to the city only, but extends all over the county of Wyandotte. Four efficient 
assistants are in the employ of the firm, and their transactions in insurance alone 
amount to three-quarters of a million dollars annually. The following are the 
reliable insiirance companies represented by this firm, with their assets : American 
Central, of St. Louis, $1,183,796; American Fire, of Philadelphia, $2,301,656; Frank- 
lin, of Philadelphia, $3,139,256; Glens F'alls, of New York, $1,492,000; Germania> 



The Industries of Kansas City. 131 



of New York, $2,700,075; Insurance Company of North America, Philadelphia, 
$8,977,490; Niagara, of New York, $2,080,949; Norwich Union, of England, 
$1,124,820; Sun, of London, Eng., $1,477,932; Saint Paul, of Minnesota, $1,261,826; 
Underwriters, of New York, $3,659,135; Liverpool and London and Globe, of 
England, $5,534,788; Westchester, of New York, $1,133,421; Connecticut Fire, 
of Hartford, $1,974,749; National Fire, of Hartford, $1,853,727. Mr. C. H. Carpenter 
came from Vermont to Kansas City in 1854, and has been a resident of Wyandotte 
County since 1857, where he was engaged at first in the carpenter and building 
industr}-, and later on followed farming, until engaging in his present enterprise. 
Mr. Baker is a native of Connecticut, has been a resident of Kansas twent}' years, 
and of Kansas City, Kas., seven years, and until recently was engaged in the dry 
goods business in Kansas City, Mo. E. H. Carpenter has been a resident of 
Kansas for thirty years. Thus all of the members of this firm have been identified 
with the interests of Kansas from the incipiency of the enterprise. The firm 
control the sale of large tracts of land outside the city limits, besides many desir- 
able residence lots and buildings for residence and business purposes for rent and 
sale. Their insurance business is the largest and their real estate interest among 
the largest in the city. Their rental list is notably the most important, and loans 
are looming up in a gratifying manner. 

Eby, Dowden & Co. — Wholesale Grocers; 928 and 930 Santa Fe Street. — 
This firm, of which Messrs. Upton Eby, M. S. Dowden and L. W. Bates are the 
individual members, was formed March 4, 1886, since which time they have 
enjoyed a large and steadily increasing business, the members of the firm all being 
experienced business men of wide acquaintance with the trade throughout the 
territory covered by the business, including Missouri, Kansas, Indian Territory, 
Texas and Colorado, in which the firm is represented by five active and experienced 
traveling salesmen. They occupy a five-story and basement building, 36x130 feet 
in dimensions, eligibly located with railroad switches at each end of the building, 
and every facility for the receipt, handling and shipment of goods. The stock 
comprises everything in the line of staple and fancy groceries, grocers' sundries 
and shelf goods, and a specially fine line of tobaccos and cigars, the stock being 
carefully selected, and composed of the freshest and best goods obtainable. Eleven 
clerks and assistants are employed in the house, and the trade of the firm has 
alread}- grown to vast proportions, the house enjoying. a first-class reputation with 
the trade. Mr. Eby, of this firm, has been for thirt}' years a resident of Kansas 
City, and was formerly a member of the wholesale grocery firm of Gregory & Co., 
and has altogether been engaged in the grocery business for the past twenty years. 
Mr. M. S. Dowden was formerh- engaged in the live stock business, and has one of 
the best and most extensive stock farms in the country, located in Knox County, 
Missouri. Mr. Bates, the other member of the firm, was formerly a traveling 
salesman for the grocery hovise of Gregory' & Co. Thus composed of experienced 
and successful business men, and using every endeavor to secure the favor of the 
trade by offering superior goods at the closest margins, by uniform fairness and 
accuracy, and by promptness in filling orders, the firm fully deserves the favor with 
which it is regarded. 

Bullene, Moore, Emery & Co. — Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Dry 
Goods, Notions, Crockery, Fancy Goods, etc. ; Seventh, Main and Delaware 
Streets. — This vast establishment, which now, in the volume of its business and 
extent of its stock, excels any other in its line in the West, was established upon a 
comparatively very small scale by Mr. T. B. Bullene, about twenty-five years 
ago. A number of changes have since taken place in the personnel of the firm, 
which now consists of Messrs. W. E. Emery, T. B. Bullene, L. R. Moore, J. T. Bird 
and W\ B. Thayer. Their store is a handsome and imposing stri;cture, fronting 
196 feet on Main street, 138 feet on Seventh street and 196 feet on Delaware street, 
and is a four-story and basement building, containing in all about 117,000 square 
feet of floor space. In addition to these large premises the firm has a warehouse 
on Broadway, between Fifth and Sixth streets, which has five floors, 50x120 feet in 
dimensions, or 30,000 square feet of floor space. The store is completely equipped 
with elevators, which make the top floor as accessible as the main one, is lighted 
by electricity, heated by steam and equipped throughout with all improvements 
and accessories calculated to aid or expedite the operations of the business. They 



132 The Industries of Kansas City. 



carry complete lines of silks, dry goods, linens, housekeeping goods, gloves, 
blankets, domestics, ladies' and gents' furnishing goods, laces, notions, fancy 
goods, millinery goods, cloaks, suits, carpets, etc., in addition to which they have a 
full line of crockery, bric-a-brac and notions, and the house is the recognized 
headquarters for the supply of staple goods and novelties in the lines which it 
deals. In addition to a heavy and steadily increasing retail business, the firm has 
a well-equipped wholesale department, from which they do a large business with 
dealers throughout Kansas, Missouri, Colorado and Nebraska, having commended 
themselves to the favor and patronage of the trade by the superior selection of 
their stock and the favorable inducements in price which they are enabled to offer, 
as a consequence of the relations maintained by them with the leading manufac- 
turers, both foreign and domestic. In order to facilitate their vast and constantly 
expanding business, the firm has had established, for a number of years, a New 
York office at 120 Franklin street, which is in charge of Mr. Emery, for the pur- 
pose of buying goods from the leading Eastern factories, and receiving consign- 
ments from abroad. The firm have their foreign offices located at 66 Faulkner 
street, Manchester, England, 2 Faubourg Poissonniere, Paris, and Chemnitz. The 
history of the expansion of this business from the original establishment to the 
present time is one of the most notable examples of business success presented by 
the commercial history of Kansas Citj-. Its present prosperity has not been 
built up by accident, but is the result of a rare combination of executive ability 
and the improvement of opportunities, and the present personnel of the firm is 
made up of practical men, who have contributed to the present position of the 
house by the exercise of industry, energy and experience. The total number of 
employes engaged as clerks, bookkeepers, etc., is at present 617. 

Diehl & Bailey. — Real Estate and Financial Agents; Room 10, National 
Block, Northeast Corner of Ninth and Main Streets ; Telephone 464. — The 
natural outgrowth of a progressive community is the establishment of real estate 
and financial agencies, whose mission is the promotion of the material and 
healthy development of everything appertaining to the building interests and the 
safe investment of capital. The enterprise now under special notice had its 
inception in this cit}-, April, 1S81, through Messrs. Whit. Diehl and Mitchell, the 
latter dying in August, 1886. Mr. Diehl is from Maryland originall}-, but came 
here from Tiffin, O., where he had resided for some years, and was engaged in the 
dry goods business. He is a gentleman of eminent business qualifications and 
thoroughly conversant with every detail of this avocation. His associate, Mr. F. A. 
Bailey, is from New York City, and came to Kansas City some six months ago, 
when he became connected with this business. He was formerly in the livery 
business, and holds large interests in Kansas City realty, both within and outside 
the city limits, notably in the Phoenix Park property. This firm handle the 
Prospect Summit property, comprising sixteen acres within the city limits, which 
was put on sale in the spring of 1887, and in ninety days ninety lots were disposed 
of at encouraging figures. Prospect avenue, which passes through this property, 
is eighty feet wide. The greater portion of this tract is now blocked, and the 
remainder is being rapidly laid out by the surveyors. A street-car line is now in 
process of construction to this point. They have also one acre of eligible 

froperty not platted, at Fifteenth and Jackson streets, which they are offering at 
20,000, and some very desirable property on Fifth street, at I475 per foot, the 
cheapest in that part of the city. Their holdings at present comprise inside 
property principally, but are by no means restricted to them. Loans are made 
upon reasonable terms, and investments effected to the best advantage as to profit 
and safety, and all other financial transactions are attended to with the utmost care 
and to the entire satisfaction of the parties interested. 

G. B. All is & Co. — Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Lumber, Lath, 
Shingles, Moulding and Screen Doors ; Yard, Foot of Minnesota Avenue. — This 
lumber yard was established thirty years ago by Mr. A. G. Walcott, who, after a 
successful business career of over a quarter of a century, was succeeded by the 
present firm in 18S4. The principal of this firm is Mr. G. B. Allis, a native of 
Massachusetts, but more recently living in the West, during which time he acted 
for a series of years as United States railway postal clerk, previous to his removal 
to Kansas City, Kas., in 1875. The yards of this company cover one and one-half 



The Industries op Kansas City. 



133 



acres, being equipped with the requisite facilities for the proper transaction of the 
business ; and a competent force of hands is employed by the firm. The special 
trade of the j-ard is in screen doors, lath, shingles, niouldings, etc., and the firm has 
a capacity for handling about 150 cars per annum. Thus far the trade has been 
chiefly in Missouri and Kansas, but through the superior merit of their stock their 
patronage is extending into other territory. The house is prepared to furnish to 
purchasers free estimates, and solicits patronage upon the merits of its dealings. 




Trumbull, Reynolds & Allen.— Seedmen and Manufacturers of Hay 
Harvesting Machinery ; Offices and Warehouse, Northeast Corner of St. Louis 
Avenue and Liberty Street.— Situated as it is in the heart of the fertile midland re- 
gions of the United States, Kansas City affords unparalleled facilities as a distribut- 
ing center for the manufacturers of agricultural implements and machinerv, and as 
a depot of supply of farm and garden seeds, which are constantlv in increasing de- 
mand by the husbandman and horticulturist. The firm now under special notice was 
among the first to introduce from this point and supply these useful appliances and 
necessities to the pioneer citizen and farmer of the great west. Messrs. Trumbull, 
Reynolds & Allen founded this enterprise in 1872, their operations at first being 
confined to a general dealing in seeds and agricultural implements, subsequently 
adding buggies to this line of business. This business at the outset was located at 



134 The Industries of Kansas City. 



419 Walnut street, but the trade of this house increased so rapidly that they were 
obliged to seek more commodious quarters, and consequently removed to their 
present eligible location in the heart of the manufacturing and jobbing portion of 
the city. The premises occvipied for business purposes are a substantial six-story 
brick building 50x90 feet in dimensions, completely equipped with every convenience 
and modern appliance for the expeditious receipt and handling of their goods. 
Railroad switches connect this house directly with every trunk line running out of 
this city. In 1883 a factory was erected at Armourdale, Kas., by this firm, which is used 
exclusively in building the celebrated Dani Automatic Hay Stackers and Gatherers, 
and is filled with the most improved modern machinery, giving employment to a force 
of fifty skilled workman in addition to the twenty or twenty-five assistants they em- 
ploy at the warehouse. The house also handle in a general way all kinds of improved 
hay machinery, among which may be mentioned The Peerless Mower and Deade- 
rick Hay Press. They are also the general agents for the Aultman & Taylor 
Thresher and Engines, which are acknowledged to be the greatest grain saving 
machines ever manufactured. It will thus be seen that this enterprising firm, has 
given Kansas City one of the most useful manufacturing interests, and promises to 
become an important factor in the further development of this essential industry 
in the West. The gentlemen engaged in this enterprise are eminently fitted both 
by education and experience for the prosecution of the business, and stand high in 
commercial and social circles in this city. Their investments in this industry are 
very large, and they have a trade which covers the West, Northwest and Southwest, 
and is steadily increasing in volume. 

I 
F. B. Nof singer & Co. — Real Estate Agents; 704 Delaware Street.^ 
Among all the varied enterprises with which Kansas Cit}^ abounds there are none 
of greater importance or more closely allied to its increasing prosperity than the 
real estate business. It is not alone beneficial to the capitalist, but is of peculiar 
interest to the home seeker of small means. While it seeks out the most import- 
ant and profitable places for the investment of capital, it also allots into small 
divisions large realties, and places them upon the market, thus giving opportunity 
to individuals of small means to purchase, and also serves to build up and popu- 
late the city. It makes and establishes values either by advance or depreciation, 
and thus prohibits the large landholder from extortion or the fixing of fictitious 
values. In truth, without the real estate agency business, Kansas City would not 
be what it is to-day. The present firm was established in 1886, and has, from its 
incipiency, conducted a business perfectly satisfactory, financially and otherwise, 
and which is constantly increasing. The business of this firm is principally local, 
making large deals in city and addition residence and business properties. It 
purchases, sells and exchanges all manner of realties, and is a worthy factor to the 
prosperity of the city. Each member gives his individual attention to the busi- 
ness, thus insuring correct methods and satisfactory results. Mr. F. B. Nofsinger 
is a native of Indiana, has been a resident of Kansas City nineteen years, and was 
President of the Board of Trade here for four successive years. He was also President 
of the City Council for two j-ears, and has otherwise been prominently connected 
with important interests in the city. Mr. George S. Peters, junior member of the 
firm, is a native of New York, and has been a resident of this city one year. The 
firm has a high standing as a result of their close attention to every detail of their 
business, and their uniformly fair dealings. 

A. K. Brower & Co. — Wholesale Dealers in Whiskies, Wines and 
Brandies ; Corner of Fourth and Delaware Streets. — One of the prominent whole- 
sale liquor houses of the city is that of A. K. Brower & Co., established April ist, 
1887. A capital stock of $20,000, swelled to five times the amount in a few months, 
is employed in the business. The first floor and basement of a building 20x80 
feet, on the corner of Fourth and Delaware streets, are called into requisition for 
the business, and, although of short experience here, the members of the firm 
deern the present quarters inadequate to their growing business, and intend mov- 
ing into more commodious quarters soon. The house is fully equipped with all 
the facilities for handling goods, and the transaction of the accumulating business, 
and employment is given to seven persons, with a pay-roll of $300 per month. 
The storage capacity of the building is four car-loads, and in brands of various 
sorts and descriptions. This house, besides being dealers, are also heavy importers 



The Industries of Kansas City. 135 



■of wines, gins, brandies, etc., in kinds and brands too numerous to mention, and 
the annual trade of the establishment is $75,000. The specialties of this house 
consist of McCormick's whiskies, distilled at Waldron, Clay County, Missouri. The 
trade is mostly located in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Texas and 
Colorado. This firm is composed of A. K. & J. C. Brower. The former, who is a 
a native of Ohio, removed to Pontiac, 111., at the age of nineteen years, and subse- 
quently acted as engineer in the Ontonagon, Mich., Copper Mines, one year, remov- 
ing thence to Longton, Kas., and engaging in farming six years prior to removing 
to Kansas City, April ist, 1887. He also owns real estate in Horace Greely County, 
Kansas, as well as an interest in a hotel there. J. C. Brower is a native of Provi- 
dence, R. I. He came to Illinois in 1865, and finally to Kansas City in 1887. 

James T. Broughal & Co. — Real Estate Brokers; Room 20, Beal's 

Building, Northwest Corner of Ninth and Wyandotte Streets. — This business was 
established in the early part of 18S7, by Messrs. McKean & Broughal, but changed 
to the present name in November, 1S87. This firm's first year's business has been 
very gratifying, and they have worked up a good trade and a high reputation, not 
only in the city, but through Kansas and Missouri. They also have a rental de- 
partment in their office, and persons desiring good houses should communicate 
with them. , They have a controlling interest m the Kate Goodin Place, the James 
Goodin Place, and the Exposition Place, besides handling a large list of improved 
and unimproved property, farms, acre property, residence and business property, 
and a general real estate trade. During the year 1887 this firm transacted business 
to the amount of $937,000 ; certainly a gratifj-ing showing. Mr. Broughal has been 
a resident of Kansas City for five years. He is a native of Pennsylvania, and was 
formerly with the Kansas City, Fort Scott and Gulf Railway. He is widely and 
favorably known, and is worthy of all the patronage land investors or dealers may 
bestow on him. 

The Northrup Banking Company. — H. M. Northrup, President; A. 
B. Northrup, Vice-President; K. L. Browne, Cashier; 501 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas 
City, Kas. — This old and substantial banking house was originally established 
September 4th, 1874, ^^ ^ private bank, by the firm of Northrup & Son, and continued 
as such until June ist, 1S87, when it was incorporated under the State law of 
Kansas as The Northrup Banking Co., with a paid in capital stock of $100,000. 
The official report of the condition of this bank at the close of business, July 6th, 
18S7, or about six weeks after its organization as a corporation, showed that in 
addition to a paid up capital of $ico,ooo the bank had undivided net profits of 
$3,437.59, loans and discounts of $284,218.33, sight exchange amounting to $425,419.41, 
cash $139,758.93, and total resources of $885,676.90. A general banking business is 
conducted, loans being made on approved security, first-class commercial paper 
being discounted and exchange issued on all the principal foreign and domestic 
cities. Deposits are received from corporations, firms and individuals, to whom 
ever}' facility is given consistent with safe and conservative banking. Mr. H. M. 
Northrup, the President, is an old and leading citizen, having resided in Kansas 
City, Mo., as early as 1844. He is prominently identified with many important 
business enterprises in addition to his position as President of this bank. His son, 
Mr. A. B. Northrup, who has been associated with him in this bank ever since its 
inception, is active in its aifairs, and has largely aided, by his good judgment, in 
sustaining for the bank the high place it occupies in the confidence of the commu- 
nity. Mr. K. L. Browne, the Cashier of the bank, is a thoroughly practical and 
experienced banker, who by close and efficient attention to his duties has had a 
large share in promoting the steady increase in the business of the bank, which it 
has enjoyed from its inception to the present time. 

Easton & Clark. — Manufacturers of Fine Light Carriages and Buggies, 
Cincinnati, Ohio; Western Branch, 816 Walnut Street, Kansas City; Robert S. 
Barnes, Manager. — This industry was founded one-half a century ago, at Cincinnati, 
Ohio, by the Bruce Carriage Company, who were succeeded by the present firm 
about four years ago. The parent house employs about 250 workmen in the factories, 
which are quite extensive, and equipped with every modern convenience and appli- 
ance for the proper execution of the finest carriage work. The western branch 
house, under the efficient management of Mr. Robert S. Barnes, was established 



136 The Industries op Kansas Citi 



here in August, 18S6. He has three competent assistants in the employ, and covers 
a trade territory embracing Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and 
the Indian Territory. The goods handled are the product of the Cincinnati works, 
which consist of fine carriages and buggies. The premises occupied as repository, 
office and salesrooms are eligibly located at 816 Walnut street, comprising a^sub- 
stantial three-story building 25x130 feet in dimensions, supplied with ever}- con- 
venience for the receipt, safe storage, and shipment of goods. The proprietors, 
Messrs. Ben. P. Easton and S. H. Clark, are residents of Cincinnati, and are practical 
business men in their line. Mr. Barnes is from Ohio, and since the inception of 
this branch establishment has been in charge of its affairs, and has achieved a 
gratifying success. 

The Schueler Abstracts of Land Titles.— Main Office, Corner of 

Missouri Avenue and Delaware Street. — This business was established in 1879 ^7 
Mr. A. L. O. Schueler, who came here from St. Louis, Mo., where he was engaged 
in the same line of business. Transfers of land are so numerous and rapid in 
Kansas Cit}- that investors would suffer annoying, if not serious, delays in ascer- 
taining the condition of titles to real estate were it not for such an office as Mr. 
Schueler's. The plan or system consists of a complete chain of title, or property 
index, of all the lands in the counties of Jackson and Claj' in Missouri and Wyandotte 
County, Kansas, with branch offices at Independence, Mo., Liberty, Mo., and Wyan- 
dotte, Kas., and employs, in the combined offices, fifty assistants in compiling ab- 
stracts and making certificates of title. Owing to the constant increase of this already 
large and extensive business, requiring more room than now occupied, Mr. Schueler 
has lately purchased the property at No. no East Sixth street, located on the north 
side thereof, between Grand avenue and W^alnut street, and will in early spring 
break ground for the erection of a fire-proof building, especially arranged for the 
use of this business. His patronage is the legitimate reward of the care and accu- 
racy with which all abstracts and certificates of title are made out in this office, 
the public having found where reliable abstracts may be obtained promptly. 

W. H. Barse & Co. — Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Artists' Materials, 
Pictures, Fancy Goods, etc. ; 728 Main Street. — This well-known and favorite estab- 
lishment was originalh' conducted by Mr. William E. Thorne, bj' whom the busi- 
ness was established in 1869, and who carried it on until February of the present 
year, when he was succeeded by the firm of Barse & Barber, which firm continued 
the business until September last, when Mr. Barber retired, Mr. Barse remaining 
as sole proprietor of the business. The premises occupied embrace a three-story 
building, 25x80 feet in dimensions, completely equipped and elegantl}^ arranged in 
accordance with its artistic surroundings, and carrjnng a large and completely 
diversified stock, embracing artists' materials of every description, artists' supplies, 
statuar}-, picture frames, etchings, fine steel engravings and other pictures, and a 
general assortment of goods suitable for wedding, holiday and anniversary 
presents. Eleven clerks and assistants are employed in the house, and the busi- 
ness is of large and steadily increasing volume, not only in the city, but also in mail 
orders from all parts of Kansas and Western Missouri. Mr. Barse is a young 
man trained to business pursuits, and prior to embarking in this enterprise was 
engaged in the office of his father, Mr. G. R. Barse, who is a prominent live stock 
commission merchant. The superior merit of the stock carried at this establish- 
ment, the close and accurate attention paid to all orders, the reasonable prices at 
which the goods are sold, and honorable business methods have secured for the 
house a deserved popularity and prosperity. 

Chadwick, Woodworth & Co. — Real Estate and Loan Agents, and 
Investors of Capital ; Room 28, Delaware Block, Southeast Corner of Seventh 
and Delaware Streets. — This enterprise was established in January, 1887, b}- the 
above firm, and has since done a satisfactory business financially and otherwise. 
The principal portion of their business is located in Missouri and Kansas, though 
they have control of a large amount of city and addition property, which is now in 
the market for sale or exchange. They also own considerable cit}^ and addition 
real estate, and have recently platted Chadwick Second Addition and Lawndale 
Addition, also Fair Oak Addition and Littria Spring Place, part of which is under 
their management, and in which they have an interest. They invest large sums of 



The Industries of Kansas City. 



137 



money for Eastern capitalists, b}- loans and the purchase of real estate. In 
November, 1887, this firm purchased 55 acres of land h'ing just north of Mount 
Washington, for which they paid the sum of $2,000 per acre; in the same month 
they sold to Eastern parties 115 acres of land for $2,600 per acre, and such transac- 
tions have obtained for them a character of experienced judgment in regard to 
opportunities and advantages in making investments. The firm is interested in the 
construction of the Independence and Short Line Railroad. Mr. A. Chadwick, 
senior member of the firm, has been a resident of Kansas City about ten years. 
Mr. D. A. Woodworth and his brother I. J. Woodworth, junior members, have also 
resided in the city a number of years. 

Manhattan Clothing Company. — H. C. Lewis, President and Manager; 
Corner of Fifth and Main Streets. — This association was incorporated October, 1887, 
with a large capital stock, and a still larger surplus. The principal portion of its trade 

is confined to the city, although 
it does an extensive transient busi- 
ness, which is constantly increasing. 
The house is largely engaged in the 
sale of all kinds of clothing, furn- 
ishing goods and notions ; employ- 
ing a force of ten clerks, and now 
holds a prominent position as a 
leader in its line. It occupies the 
main floor of the spacious building 
on the corner of Main and Fifth 
streets, occupying an area of 40x60 
feet, with high ceiling, large plate 
glass windows, lighted with elec- 
tricity, heated with steam ; airy 
and comfortable, the rear wall be- 
ing embelished with a magnificent 
mirror, 14 x 40 feet, costing $1,200, 
making it one of the most elegant 
and commodious store-rooms in the 
cit}-. The spacious windows are 
filled to overflowing with the neat- 
est and most fashionable goods in 
the market — one with elegant clothing, another with hats and caps, whilst the 
store-room is literally jammed with a reserve stock embracing every article in this 
line of merchandise. Mr. Lewis is a native of Louisiana, and is now a resident of 
Kansas Cit}', where he has built wp an excellent trade resulting from fairness and 
accuracy in all his dealings, and enjoj-s a success which promises to steadily in- 
crease from year to year. 

Philip Best Brewing Company. — Headquarters at Milwaukee, Wis.; 
Charles Worst, Manager of the Kansas City Branch; 96, 100 and 108 Main Street. — 
For many ^-ears the city of Milwaukee has held a leading place among all the cities 
of the United States in the production of beer, and this prominence has been 
earned b}- the acknowledged excellence of the product and the superior facilities 
afforded for carrying on the business in that city. Prominent among the firms 
who have contributed toward this position of leadership is that of the Philip 
Best Brewing Co. The business was originally established in 1842, by Mr. 
Jacob Best, who was assisted by his sons Philip, Charles, Jacob and Lorenz. After 
various changes the entire business passed into the hands of Philip Best in i860, 
and four years afterward Mr. Fred Pabst was admitted to the firm. In 1865 Mr. 
Philip Best retired, and Mr. Schandein became a member of the firm, which did 
"business under the style of Philip Best & Co., until 1873, when it was incorporated 
under its present style, with a capital stock of $2,000,000, but the amount invested at 
present writing is nearly $5,000,000. Mr. Pabst became President, Mr. Schandein, 
Vice-President and Mr. Charles Best, Jr., Secretary. From the inception of the 
business to the present time continuous additions and improvements have been 
made to the plant of the company, which now has a capacity for the produdlion of 
750,000 barrels of beer yearly, its adlual output for the past year having been 440,423 




138 The; Industries of Kansas City. 



barrels and the volume of its produdlions steadily increasing from year to year. At 
the brewery in Milwaukee employment is given to over 800 hands, and the produdt, 
which is made upon the most approved processes, and with the aid of the best 
machinery and appliances adapted to this department of produdlive industry, is not 
only popular in all parts of the United States, but is exported to every conntry of 
the civilized world. In 1879 ^ branch was established in this city for the purpose 
of supplying the demands of the trade for beer of this brew in Kansas, Colorado, 
New Mexico, Missouri, Texas, Arkansas and Arizona, in all of which States and 
Territories a large business is done through this branch, which gives employment 
to thirty hands. The company is now engaged in making additions to its Kansas 
City premises, contemplating the expenditure of $140,000 in buildings, stables, etc., 
including one of the finest offices in the city, elaborately fitted up and furniskied in 
cherry, the fittings of the office alone costing $5,300. In addition to the branch in 
this city, the company maintains branches at Chicago and Peoria, 111., St. Paul, Minn., 
and Pittsburg, Pa., the main offices being on the brewery premises at Milwaukee, where 
the buildings of the company cover over fourteen acres of ground, in addition to 
which they have extensive grounds, depots, etc., and large elevators with a capacity 
of 1,000,000 bushels of malt and barle3^ The company manufactures five varieties 
of beer, including their celebrated Export and Select beers, which are sold only in 
bottles, their Bohemian and Bavarian beer in bottles or wood, and their Stan lard 
beer, which is sold in wood only. The excellence of this beer has frequently been 
attested by its success in competition, it having been given the first reward of merit 
at the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia, and received the gold medal at the 
Paris Exposition, and the first prize at the Southern Exposition at Atlanta, Ga., 
and World's Exposition at New Orleans. Among the branches of the company, 
the Kansas City establishment occupies a leading place, and does a large and 
steadily increasing business which has been earned not only by the merit of the 
produA itself, but also largely increased by the thorough efficiency, accurate knowl- 
edge and superior business'qualifications of the several representatives here who 
who have had long and valuable experience in this line. 

Mellier, Darragh & Co. — Real Estate Investors; Room i. Alamo Build- 
ing, Seventh and Delaware Streets. — This firm ranks among the leading real estate 
agents of Kansas City, and have commended themselves to investors by their fair 
dealing and sound judgment. Mr. W. G. Mellier established this firm in 1884, and 
in November, 1886, associated with him Mr. Jas. C. Darragh, of Grand Rapids, 
Mich. Mr. Darragh was formerly engaged in banking in that city. Within the last 
eighteen months Mellier, Darragh & Co., have organized the Kenwood, Llewellyn 
Park, Mellier Place, Murray Hill and Dickinson Place syndicates, aggregating 
$2,000,000 of property. An evidence of the standing of the firm is shown by the 
support which they have received from local investors. Last spring the first week's 
sales in their Kenwood addition amounted to $115,000, the largest week's sale ever 
made in an addition. They have customers in nearly every Eastern State, and en- 
deavor to protect the interest of non-residents with the same amount of prudence, 
as they exercise in managing their own aflfairs. Their financial standing is first- 
class and they are thoroughly responsible. 

Sol. Block & Co. — Wholesale Dealers in Whiskies and Importers of Wines 
and Brandies ; 423 Delaware Street. — The history of this institution is an interest- 
ing one, as it carries us back to the early days of Kansas City, in whose interests 
some of the members of this firm were identified and assisted materially in the 
development of its present grand resources. Away back in the early '70's Mr. Sol. 
Block, the senior member of this firm, was a resident of New York, and from 
thence moved to Nebraska, and finally came to Kansas City in 1874. In the fall of 
1878, when the firm of B. S. Flersheim & Co. was organized and established, Mr. 
Block became one of its most influential and active members, and, in fact, was re- 
garded as the "bone and sinew" of the infant enterprise. With all these years of 
experience Mr. Block has become an adept in all the intricacies of the business, 
and in the art of distilling, etc., is without a peer among dealers in Kansas City, 
thus being enabled to select the pure and unadulterated. Mr. Theodore W. Gripp, 
the junior member of the firm, is a native Kentuckian. During his seven years' 
residence in Kansas City, and away back into his early manhood in the South, he 
has been constantly identified with the wholesale whisky trade, so that he, too, has 



The Industries of Kansas City. 139 



become an efficient judge of the qualities of this beverage that has become so 
thoroughly Americanized. This firm is composed of two young, thriving, active, 
honorable business men, who for many years have been residents of Kansas City, 
and both of whom are thoroughly accomplished in all matters pertaining to their 
business. They occupy the neat three-story brick building and basement at 423 
Delaware street, which is thoroughly stocked with the choicest brands of wines and 
liquors, including most of the celebrated brands of Kentucky sour mash, and also 
the celebrated Pennsylvania R3'e Whisky. They make a specialty of and enjoys an 
extensive trade in the celebrated " Silver Cliff" Whisky, conceded by connoisseurs 
to be one of the finest of Kentucky's productions. 

Misfit Clotining' Parlors.— S. M. Levy, Proprietor; 611 and 613 Delaware 
Street. — This business is one of the special features of a metropolitan city. It sup- 
plies a demand for tailor-made clothing, without resort to the merchant tailor, who 
not infrequently adds his percentage for style to the price of his work, and mate- 
rial and style nowadays is an expensive luxury. In this connexion special and 
gratifying mention is due to the Misfit Clothing Parlors, established here in 1883 by 
Messrs. S. M. Levy & Co., and on September i, 1887, the firm assumed its present 
style. A floiirishing trade has rewarded the well-directed efforts of the present 
proprietor, Mr. S. M. Levy, who is an adept in the business, having previously con- 
ducted a similar enterprise in St. Louis, Mo., for four years. His stock consists of 
cuslom-made clothing obtained from the leading merchant tailors all over the 
country, as these have clothing which is either not called for or declined on account 
of some trifling defect in the fit, and hence the designation of the business "misfit 
clothing." This stock is purchased at a considerable reduction upon the original 
cost, and is carried in such diversified styles that the most fastidious can be readily 
suited with a desirable fit, substantial wear and elegant patterns. Mr. Levy's trade 
extends to the city mainly, and amounts to upwards of $100,000 annually, b}' reason 
of his taste and good judgment in making his selections and the exercise of hon- 
orable business methods in all his dealings. He is a native of Buffalo, N. Y,, and 
has had long and valuable experience in the clothing trade. Four efficient sales- 
men are in his employ. 

iVl. J. Payne & Sons. — Real Estate and Rental Agenc)^ ; Room 2, North- 
east Corner of Sixth and Wyandotte Streets. — This enterprise was established m 
April, 1887, and has, perhaps, been more successful in business than any other of 
like character in the city, the parties having been associated with various enter- 
prises here and identified with the prosperity of Kansas City for more than thirty 
years. With this extended knowledge of the interests of the community, it enjoys 
superior facilities for the transadlion of business in this line in a perfe6lly satisfac- 
tory manner. Most of its efforts are employed in the sale and exchange of inside 
property, whilst thej' are largely engaged in handling realty in the various additions, 
and are individual owners of a considerable amount of acre property within the 
city limits, which thej' contemplate soon placing upon the market. With such ex- 
tended acquaintance this firm enjoj'S peculiar facilities for obtaining first-class 
tenants for rental property, and in this line have been more than ordinarily suc- 
cessful, having a large list of such property at their command, and giving their 
individual attention to the business. Hon. Milton J. Payne, senior member of the 
firm, is a native of Christian County, Kentucky. At an early age he adopted the 
printers' profession, and in 1842 was employed as printers' " devil " in a small news- 
paper office in Hopkinsville, Ky., but becoming wearied with this occupation, after 
two years of labor in the office, he determined to seek his fortune in the then " far 
West." He went to St. Louis, where he was employed in a large dry goods house 
until 1850, when he came to the town of Kansas, now Kansas City, as a partner in 
a dry goods and clothing house. This enterprise was a failure, and the firm was 
dissolved, when Mr. Payne accepted a lucrative position in the then largest dry 
goods house in the city. In 1855 he was eledled Mayor of Kansas City, as also in 
1856, 1857, 1858, 1859, ^s also again in 1862. This high municipal office he filled 
with honor to himself and advantage to his constituents. In 1864 he was elecfled 
to the State Legislature, and as a member of the House of Representatives he was 
adlive, popular and successful.. He has been engaged in various lines of business 
since, was incorporator of several railroads, and was largely identified with rail- 
road interests for the building up of this city. He is a very large owner of rea' 



140 The Industries op Kansas City. 



estate, and is the possessor of an ample fortune, accumulated by his own untiring 
efforts. Frank A. and Thomas G. Payne, the junior members of the firm, are na- 
tives of Kansas City, and are well and favorably known to all the old settlers, as 
well as to the majority of the new comers. During their boyhood days they were 
accorded advantages which will take years for strangers to obtain. They have been 
successfully engaged in different branches of mercantile business, as their posses- 
sions will testify. 

New Albany Hotel. — George E. Green, Proprietor; 1024 Union Avenue.^ 
This is one of the oldest hotels in the city, having been established in 1870 by Otto 
Drugman, and changed its proprietorship in 1887. The hotel building is a hand- 
some three-stor}- brick structure, j 00x120 feet in dimensions, and fully equipped 
with everything needed in a first-class hotel, such as reading-rooms, ele6lric bells, 
etc., and having ample accommodations for one hundred guests. An elegant din- 
ing-room and a generous table, set with choice edibles, greet the traveler, and at 
the nominal price of $2 per day. The house gives employment to thirty persons 
as waiters, attendants and clerks, upon a weekty pay-roll of fSoo, and a volume of 
business approximating fioo,ooo per annum. This hotel is the nearest to the 
Union Depot in the city, and ranks first among similar houses on the Kansas City 
Bottoms. Mr. George E. Greene is a native of Illinois, who removed to Kansas City 
some eight j^ears since, and purchasing the Delmonico Restaurant, retained the 
same until 1887, when he disposed of it and assumed control of the New Albany 
Hotel, which is rapidly gaining a first-class reputation and a numerous patronage. 
Special accommodations are afforded for stockmen. Cable and elevated cars from 
this house reach all parts of the city, thereb}' making transit convenient to all 
classes of travel. 

J. W. Musick. — Dealer in all Kinds of Granite and Marble Monuments, 
Headstones and Cemetery Improvements; 819 Walnut Street. — This business was 
established in 1882 b}' Messrs. Musick, Stewart & Dorance, but the entire business 
fell into the hands of Mr. Musick in 1885, and he has since successfully carried on 
and extended and improved it, and commands a large and profitable trade 
throughout Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado. 
He makes a specialt}- of designs for family monuments, and his work in this line 
is justly celebrated. He employes ten skilled workmen and occupies a capacious 
shop of 25 feet frontage and 137 feet deep. Monumental sculpture is something in 
which the masses of the public are entirely uneducated, but notwithstanding this 
the work coming from the chisels in Mr. Musick's shop commands a market for 
itself wherever it is seen. Mr. Musick has been a resident of the city for fifteen 
years. He formerh' traveled for several monumental firms prior to entering busi- 
ness for himself. He is a native of Kentuck}', but resided for many years in St. 
Louis, Mo., and is now one of Kansas City's most popular sculptors. 

Geo. & J. G. Muehlebach. — Proprietors of the Main Street Brewery; 
1734 to 1740 Main Street. — The brewing business forms one of the most important 
industries in every city of note in the United States, and is consequently one of the 
most important in Kansas City. The proprietors of the Main Street Brewery began 
this business as far back as 1866, and have carried it on successfull}- and profitably 
ever since. Their establisment is fitted up and equipped with the best modern 
machinery and appliances for the brewing of malt, and their liquors are favorites 
in the city and through the State of Missouri, over which their trade extends. 
They keep twenty employes to do the work in their capacious six-storj- brewery, 
75x150 feet in dimensions, which is owned by the Messrs. Muehlebach, and was 
built by them in 1880. 

B. F. Berry. — Real Estate Agent and Notary Public; 505^^ Minnesota 
Avenue, Kansas City, Kas. ; Telephone 414)^. — This business enterprise was estab- 
lished in 1883, by Mr. B. F. Berry, who has had an experience of upwards of twenty 
years in this line. He hails from the State of Maine, and has been a resident of this 
city four years. His business consists in general real estate transactions, and ex- 
tends all through Missouri and Kansas, he, himself, owning considerable realty all 
over the city. Mr. Berrj' is largely interested in the Husted and Berry addition to 
this city, which is one of the most eligible for residence and business purposes. 



JHK Industries of Kansas City. 



141 



His notarial commission gives him the advantage of facilitating conveyancing and 
materialh- aids him in his business transactions with a numerous patronage. He 
also controls large sums of money, which he loans upon reasonable rates of 
interest, in amounts to suit the borrower. Numerous dwellings, business houses 
and fine farms are constantly upon his books for sale. He also represents five 
solid fire insurance companies. Those needing anj-thing in this line can do no 
better than give Mr. Berry a call or correspond with him. He refers, by permis- 
sion, to Northrup Banking Co., and all the other banking houses of Kansas City. 




The Excelsior Springs Company. — Howard M. Holden, President; 
E. L. Martin, Vice-President; Joseph S. Chick, Treasurer; General Office, 313 
Alamo Building, Corner of Seventh and Delaware Streets, Kansas City; H. C. Fish, 
General Manager at Excelsior Springs. — The Excelsior Springs, located in Clay 
County, Missouri, have long possessed a reputation extending far beyond local 
bounds for the medicinal virtues of the waters found there; but there was Htlle 
effort to make the neighborhood a place of resort until the organization in the 
spring of 18S7 of the Excelsior Springs Co., designed to utilize these springs for the 
benefit of health seekers. This company purchased the principal spriu'gs and the 
adjacent 900 acres of land, and has since been busily engaged in making improve- 
ments which will render the springs an attradtive resort. A new and spacious 
hotel, shown in the accompanying illustration, containing 200 rooms, and equipped 
with every modern convenience and improvement is being eredled and the grounds 
have been laid out into elegant avenues, driveways, etc., the surrounding slopes being 
covered with majestic forest trees, and affording superior locations for permanent 
residences or summer homes. The springs themselves are being improved and put 
in first-class shape for use, and the completion of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
Railroad to the springs affords an easy means of conneciion between them and 
Kansas City, from which thej' are distant twenty-eight miles. The waters of the 
Excelsior Springs possess properties and combinations unknown to any other 
spring yet discovered in America ; and it has been proven by the personal experience 
of a large number of people who have been benefited, among whom are many citi- 
zens of Kansas City, that these waters are remarkably effective in cases of rheuma- 
tism, dropsy, kidney troubles, indigestion and cutaneous diseases, and posses i 



142 Thx<, Industries of Kansas City. 



tonic properties beyond any other known mineral waters. Even prior to the 
acquisition of the springs by the company, the virtues of its waters had attracted a 
population of over 1,200 permanent residents, which number is being rapidly in- 
creased as a result of the facilities for entertainment afforded by the work done by 
the company and the advent of a railroad to the place. To those desiring summer 
houses or permanent residences, or who may wish to improve for business purposes 
or to make investments that will pay a large profit, the company offers desirably 
located and elegant lots at reasonable prices. The compau}- is strong and substan- 
tial, and will spare no expense in making this the most attraAive, enjoyable and 
health giving watering place in the West. 

B. F. Bower & H. Thomas. — Real Estate and Exchange Agency; 
Merchandise, Farms, Ranches, etc. ; 8)4 West Ninth Street, Room No. 18. — In all 
the various branches of business which go to make up the life and reliability of 
Kansas Citj- , there is none of greater importance, or that wields a greater influence 
in its future growth and prosperity, than that mentioned above ; hence the necessity 
of a special notice of this branch of business in a work purporting to be an accurate 
and concise record of the industries of this grand Western metropolis. The present 
enterprise was established in the spring of 1887, under the title of B. F. Bower & Co., 
but was changed to its present firm name, as above, in July, 1887. From its incip- 
iency, this agency has been favored with a most satisfaAory business, financially 
and otherwise, and has constantly increased until its importance is readily recog- 
nized throughout all business circles. It deals largely (buying, selling and ex- 
changing) in city residence and business properties, and, having aperfedl knowledge 
of present and prospedlive values, has" been very successful in all its transadlions 
of this chara<5ler. The firm also handles a large addition at Pensacola, Fla., very 
valuable property, which is now on the market, and is being disposed of rapidly. 
The principal part of its trade, however, is farming and ranch realties, located in 
Missouri, Kansas and Texas, which it is prepared to sell or exchange at most 
reasonable figures. It is also engaged in the buying, selling and exchanging ol 
merchandise, large or small stocks, for which it has peculiar advantages. Mr. B. F. 
Bower is a native of Illinois, and has been a resident of Kansas City seven years, 
and was formerly engaged in the grocery business here. Mr. H. Thomas was 
formerly a resident of Kansas, but has resided in Kansas City two years. The 
firm maintains a high standing in business circles, and enjoys a success which has 
been earned by liberal and accurate methods and promptness and reliability in its 
transadlions. 

Model Clothing House. — Max Weil, Proprietor; 500 and 502 Main 
Street. — The above important enterprise receives special mention in the pages ol 
this work for the reason that it is the pioneer clothing house of Kansas City, and 
none other is more popular or holds a higher position in relation to trade circles. 
The house was formerly known under a different name but passed into the hands of 
Mr. Weil in 1886. The building occupied is commodious and centrally located. It 
is 40x80 feet in dimensions, and the two main floors are used for the storage and 
display of goods. Fourteen skilled and courteous clerks are given employment, and 
the special goods carried are fine clothing, hats and gents' furnishings. Mr. Max 
Weil is a gentleman of long experience in the business, having had the manage- 
ment of a large clothing house in Cincinnati for some time previous to his removal 
here in 1885. He is a native of France, but sailed for America in 1879. 

Austin & Co. — Investment Bankers ; Security Building ; Sixth and Wyan- 
dotte Streets. — This firm is engaged in the investment of capital for clients in 
the Eastern States and in Great Britain, where they have a house in London under 
the management of Mr. Charles Harrison Tindal, M. A., one of the partners. Mr. 
Austin, the senior partner, is a native of Scotland, but came to America when quite 
young, and was for some years an officer of a bank on Wall street. New York. Since 
going West he has by careful study and a personal examination of the country, 
acquired a very extended knowledge of all values appertaining to their line of 
business. They make a specialty of the negotiation of mortgages for long time on 
well improved farms throughout Kansas and Missouri, and have a well perfected 
system for the examination of farms throughout these States. They have a large 
patronage, and one which is constantly increasing. 



The Industries op Kansas City. 143 



Monitor Hay Press Company. — H. W. Severance, Secretary and 
Manager ; C. L. Ballintine, Treasurer ; W. S. Livengood, Patentee and Superintend- 
ent ; 1306 St. Louis Avenue. — This important industry was founded October i, 1886, 
by the gentlemen named above. Their business is the manufacture of a superior 
hay press known as the " Little Monitor," upon which many valuable improve- 
ments have been made from time to time since the issue of its first patent. It 
stands now as the best appliance adapted to baling hay with reference to strength, 
durability and simplicity of construction. It is manufactured entirely from iron 
and steel, and is easily operated. The capital involved ia the business amounts to 
f 10,000. The output capacity is one hundred and fifty presses per annum. A 
business of upwards of $30,000 annually is seciired in the sale of these presses, and 
the demand for them is constantly increasing. The high merit in the service of 
this patent will tend to create their general introduiftion. The company have 
twenty-five expert workmen in their employ. The trade covers the States of Kan- 
sas, Colorado, Missouri, Arkansas and the Territory of New Mexico. The building 
and plant of the company when completed will consist of machine-shops, adjusting 
department and molding-shop, and will be 100x200 feet in dimensions, supplied 
with every modern machine and appliance for the expeditious and proper execu- 
tion of the work. The proprietors are all gentlemen of pra6tical experience in the 
mechanical arts. Messrs. Severance and Ballentine are from the Empire State, and 
came to this city in 1887, subsequently entering into this enterprise, which had pre- 
viously existed under the diredlion and ownership of Mr. W. S. Livengood, who 
has learned the machinist's trade, attaining a high degree of skill in constructing 
intricate machiner}', besides being an inventor of considerable note. On account 
of his superior skill his services have been frequently called into requisition to ad- 
just complicated machinery in various parts of the country. His father, with whom 
he served his apprenticeship, was also a remarkable genius in the mechanical arts. 
Mr. Livengood's present design is to construct a new ele6lric motor of his own in- 
vention. If he achieves the same success in this direction that he has in the Moni- 
tor Hay Press, he will have accomplished a great and lasting benefit to the com- 
munity. 

Frank S. Baxter. — Real Estate; Room 419, Northwest Corner of Seventh 
and Delaware Streets. — In this wonderful city the remarkable advance of real estate 
in which is the absorbing topic of conversation all over the civilized world, the 
importance of honorable and reliable dealers or agents, cannot be over-estimated, 
and every addition of a firm which is inaugurated by responsible, honest men, may 
be regarded as a decided gain. Among the recent important enterprises of this 
character is that of Frank S. Baxter, established in March, 18S7. Mr. Baxter has been 
a resident of Kansas City since August 28th, 1874, ^"^ for fourteen years was the 
trusted express messenger for the Wells, Fargo Express Co. He makes a specialty 
of inside property, and on the east side and east bottoms. His trade is large, and 
rapidly increasing, and already covers Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and New Jersey. 

E. P. Brink. — Architect and Sanitary Engineer; Offices, Hall Brothers' 
National Block, Rooms i and 2, Corner of Walnut and Ninth Streets ; Tele- 
phone No. 1610 — There is no other avocation that can play such an important 
part in a communit}' in promoting health and comfort and subserving the progress 
of the present age in its tendencies towards elegance combined with convenience in 
building for business and residence purposes as that of the architect and sanitary 
engineer. The subject of this sketch is a representative man in this line, in which 
he has more than ordinary skill and repute, besides being a pioneer at his calling 
in the West. Twenty-five years ago Mr. Brink entered upon his professional 
career in the far West — and since its inception his business has met with a 
deservedly great success. He employs six competent assistants and does an ex- 
tensive business in the city and all through Missouri and Kansas. Among his 
achievements here in buildings designed and their construction superintended by 
him, may be prominent!}' mentioned fourteen houses on West Eighth street; the 
elegant residence 01 W. H. Winants, on Woodland avenue, and many others. 
He is at the present time engaged upon eighteen residences located on Seventh 
street and Woodland avenue ; a block of fifteen dwellings on Eighth street and 
Highland avenue, for C. C. Ouinlin ; a block of twelve residences on Independence 
avenue, for E. A. Phillips ; a block of eight residences on Eighth street and 



144 The Industries of KanSx\s City. 



Brocklaud avenvie, for E. T. Studevant ; a block of three fine residences, for F. C. 
Marsh, and an elegant block of brick and terra cotta for L. E. Prindall. These are a 
few of his recent undertakings and promise to be in style and general appoint- 
ments in keeping with Mr Brink's high renown for first class work in architecture 
and sanitary conveniences. Mr. Brink, who has been a resident of this city for 
about two years, is a native of New York. He was formerly in San Francisco, and 
prior to engaging in business here was at Denver, Col., in the pursuit of his 
profession. During the past year he has designed and superintended the construc- 
tion of upwards of two hundred residences in Kansas City alone. His success is 
due to consummate skill in his profession and the exercise of reliable business 
methods in all his dealings. 

Boston Store. — C. W. & E. Pardridge& Co., Proprietors, Wholesale and Re- 
tail Dealers in Dry Goods, Millinery, Fancy Goods, Boots and Shoes, etc. ; Corner of 
Ninth and Main Streets. — The number of elegant and attractive dry goods houses 
found in this city is the grandest scale in which to weigh the importance of this 
department of our commerce. No city surpasses Kansas City in this industry or 
has a more prosperous or profitable custom. Among the most extensive mercantile 
houses in this line is the Boston Store. The variety of articles embraced in the 
general term " dry goods" is almost exhaustless, but this house has in stock the 
most extensive assortment in this line to be found in the market, which is 
constantly replenished with all the latest novelties of the very best fabrics and 
most unique designs, comprising everything pertaining to the stock of a large and 
comprehensive dry goods business, including woolens, all kinds of silk and cotton 
products, prints, domestics, fancy goods, etc. The elegant building occupied by 
this industry is five stories in height, embracing three floors of 50x115 feet, each 
floor occupied by the several departments in this line, where is to be found the 
most complete stocks, inckiding everything known to the several lines. The 
premises are completely equipped with every convenience and accessory calculated 
to aid or expedite the vast operations of the btisiness, a large electric light plant 
supplying brilliant illumination, with all other modern equipments for the comfort 
and convenience of customers. When it is further said that a force of two 
hundred clerks and assistants is employed, and that the annual business of the 
house amounts to $750,000, a fair idea will be arrived at as to the vast proportions 
of the business, which is steadily increasing. In addition to its vast business 
operations here the company are conducting two wholesale and two retail houses 
in Chicago, together with one retail establishment in each of the cities of Detroit, 
Mich., Cleveland, O., and Buffalo, N. Y., which gives them superior facilities for 
importing and purchasing in large quantities. They buy for cash only, and are 
thus enabled to dictate prices, obtaining goods at lowest values ; they sell for cash 
only, and at smallest possible margin. Thoroughly alive to the wants and 
demands of the trade, their stocks are selected with great care, and by application 
of energy and correct business methods the firm has secured for itself a great and 
gratifj'ing success. 

BIOSS, Darling & Co. — Real Estate and Loans; Northeast Corner of Sixth 
and W^yandotte Streets. — This firm, which is one of acknowledged prominence 
among the real estate dealers of Kansas City, is composed of Messrs. O. P. Bloss 
and H. W. Darling. They have been specially prominent in placing upon the 
market a number of the most desirable additions to Kansas Citj', included among 
which is the Beacon Hill Park, a tract of fifteen acres on Troost avenue and Twenty- 
ninth street, reached by the Troost Avenue cable, and having graded streets and 
every featiire necessary to invite permanent residence. The property is located on 
high ground, has excellent surface drainage, and is in every respect desirable. 
They also have property on Prospect avenue, the only street east of Troost avenue 
which is eighty feet wide, and which it is expected to widen to one hundred feet. 
A franchise for a street car line upon this avenue has been granted to the Fifteenth 
Street Cable Line, and they are now laying the track and will run horse cars as 
soon as completed, and eventually change to the cable line. The'tract controlled by 
this firm contains five acres, divided into 50 foot lots, and one third of them have 
already been sold. Another tract controlled by the firm is the Troost avenue front 
of Mt. Pleasant addition, reached by the Troost avenue cable line and divided into 
large lots, principally desirable as residence sites. The tracts above described are 



The Industries of Kansas City. 



145 



owned by the firm except Beacon Hill, which they control as agents. In addition 
to this suburban property the firm owns and controls over $20,00,000 worth of prop- 
erty in the city limits, improved and unimproved, and $300,000 worth of property 
in Kansas lands, from large ranches down to small farms. The firm has some very 
valuable propertv near the Board of Trade, and handles nothing but first-class prop- 
ertv of anv kind and guarantees purchasers against loss. Mr. Bloss, of this firm, has 
resided iii Kansas Citv for three years. He was originally from Northern New 
York, and was in the consular service of the United States at Montreal, from 1874 
to early in 1SS5, coming here at the latter date. Mr. Darling was engaged in com- 
mercial pursuits and traveled all through this section, in which he is well and 
favorably known. The firm is one of the most prosperous and highly regarded of 
the real estate firms in the city, and has commended itself to a large and constantly 
growing patronage by correct methods of dealing, and by the superior attractions 
offered by its list of properties. 

Tolbert Rose & Co. — importers and Wholesale Dealers in Wines and 
Liquors, 418 bela^\are Street —This establishment, ranking among the foremost 

in the city, was founded by J. J. and W. C. 
Tolbert and R. M. Rose, June i, 1887, the 
former gentlemen having been natives and 
residents of the State of Georgia, where 
they passed their younger days of business 
manhood in the wholesale grocery trade, 
removing from thence to Kansas City just 
previeus to the institution of this new en- 
terprise. R. M. Rose was born in Willi- 
mantic. Conn., removing to New London, 
Conn., when just emerging into manhood, 
and serving as a drug clerk in that city, 
when in 1855 he removed to Georgia. In 
1887 he removed to Atlanta, Ga., since 
which time he has been engaged in the 
liquor and wine business, gaining valuable 
experience therein, and finally removing to 
Kansas City at the organization of the 
present firm. A capital stock of $35,000 is 
involved in the enterprise. The building 
consists of a neat and commodious brick structure, three stories in height, with 
basement, 20x125 f'set in dimensions, fronting on 418 Delaware street, contiguous 
to the banking center of the city. A competent force of assistants, including four 
traveling salesmen, are employed about and in the direct interests of the establish- 
ment, necessitating a monthly pav-roll of $400, while the total annual volume of 
business exceeds $100,000. Since its inception the house has established a flourishing 
home trade, extending into the States of Colorado and Nebraska, with adjacent ter- 
ritory in prospective. The specialty of the concern is the sole agency for "J. H. 
Cutter's Whisky," manufacflured by C. P. Moorman & Co., Louisville, Ky. The house 
also deals extensively in fine imported wines bottled at Cadiz, Spain, and Oporto, 
Portugal, which are very rare goods in the city wine market. Full and superior 
stocks of imported goods are constantly on hand, while the general lines of liquors 
are not equaled elsewhere in the citv. " With an extensive experience in the liquor 
trade the founders of this enterprise have a very strong and vigorous element of 
success in the approaching future. 

W. S. Boylan & Co.— Abstracts of Title for Wyandotte County; 505 
Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, Kas. — To those dealing in real estate, or who 
purchase a business place or a home, the services of some reliable person who has 
access to superior sources of information for the purpose of revealing the true 
state of the title, ib a necessitv. In this important department of business the 
firm of W. S. Boj'lan & Co. enjovs superior advantages, having complete abstracts 
of the titles of all lands and lots situated in Wyandotte County, Kansas. The 
business was originally established in i860 by James M. Mason, by whom it was 
conducted until 1879, when he was succeeded by the firm of W. S. Boylan & Co., 
who have since continued the business in a manner which has commended 




146 The Industries of Kansas City. 



them to the favor and approval of the real estate interests of the county. They 
are prepared to furnish, on short notice, thoroughly reliable abstracts of titles to 
all lots in Kansas City, Kas., and all additions and suburbs, and to farming lands 
throughout the county, and the perfection of their sources of information is such 
that these abstracts are relied upon by the leading dealers and investors as afford- 
ing all the necessary information in regard to the condition of titles in the county. 
Mr. Boj'lan is a gentleman of prominence in business and real estate circles, and 
in addition to his position as principal of this firm, is a stockholder and director 
of the Wyandotte National Bank, a stockholder in the Fidelity Savings Bank, and 
otherwise prominently identified with important business interests. 

Samuel Bliss & Co. — (Successors to Samuel Bliss), Refiners and Dealers in 
Syrups and Molasses, and Proprietors of the Home Preserving Company's Table 
Delicacies; St. Louis Avenue and Liberty Street. — This house, one of the oldest and 
most extensive of its kind in the city, was founded by Samuel Bliss in 1882, and 
changed to its present name not long since. The building is a commodious three 
storj' structure with basement, 50x100 feet in dimensions, and filled with every kind 
of machinery and apparatus for the prosecution of the business, and employing a 
competent force of men, as workmen, clerks, etc. The house does an extensive re- 
fining business in syrups, and molasses, besides manufacturing large quantities ot 
preserving delicacies, of many and varied forms. Convenient shipping and receiving 
facilities are enjoyed; the side track of one of the trunk lines passes directly in 
front of the works. Every thing about the premises shows thrift and enterprise, 
and the house has a very large trade throughout the South and West. The firm 
also has other stores located at Chicago, St. Paul, and Rockford. Mr. Bliss is a first 
class business man, and through his energy and perseverance has made his business 
what it is to-day and secured for it a position as one of the prominent industries of 
the city. 

David Boyd & Sons. — Real Estate and Loans; Room 12, Beals Building. 
—This firm is composed of Mr. David Boyd and his son R. J. Boyd, and they have 
been doing a real estate and loan business in this city since 1886. Their office was 
formerly in the Bunker Building, but they removed to their present quarters in 
May, 1887. Their business is large and profitable, and they handle business and 
residence property in the city, farm and acre property, and Westport and Indepen- 
dence property. They are sole agents for David Boyd & Sons' Addition in 
Independence, Mo. They also do a large local trade throughout Kansas and 
Missouri. Mr. David Boyd has resided one year in this cit3\ He is a native of 
Ireland, but has lived in America for quite a number of years. Hfe is a represen- 
tative business man of the city, and is highly respected by those who know him, 
both for his genial social qualities, and his sound business abilities. His son, 
Mr. R. J. Boyd, is a sterling business man, fully alive to the times, and quick to see 
and take advantage of opportunities. Together, they form one of the safest and 
most reliable houses for intending investors to work through. 

A. B. Cross. — Architect; 11 Missouri Avenue; Formerly Cross & Taylor. — 
Mr. Cross is one of the men who have seen the city grow up out of the prairie, and 
he has left his eternal mark upon it, as it grew, in piles of stone and brick that 
shall commemorate his name for ages to come. Those handsome and costly build- 
ings, the Court House, The Gillis Gpera House, The Coates Block, The Insurance 
Exchange, The James Block, The Huelling Block and the Times Building all owe 
their architectural attractions to his superior skill as a designer, to say nothing of 
the Moline Plow Works, the new Lindell Hotel and niau}' of the handsomest 
private residences that adorn the fashionable avenues of the city. Mr. Cross was 
the architect of the Union Depot in Kansas Cit}', a handsome engraving of which 
appears on another page in this review, as well as of the Union Depots at Atchison, 
Peoria and Denver, and of the P. & R. N. Railway's Forty-Stall Round House. 
He has relaid twenty miles of track, built twenty-five miles and twenty new bridges 
for the P. & R. N. Railway, and it is worthy of special mention, as showing the 
advanced ideas and enterprise of Mr. Cross, that he was architect of the Old First 
National Bank Building, now occupied by the American Express Company, the 
design of which was said to have been twenty years in advance of the city at that 
time. Also that he built the first public school house in the city and was the first 



The Industries of Kansas City. 147 



to introduce plate glass fronts, the plans for which, with his characteristic enter- 
prise, he furnished free to those who would put in such fronts. He is also 
architect of the National Bank of Commerce, the interior of which is considered 
the handsomest in the city; the Keith & Perry seven-story fireproof building at 
the corner of Ninth and Walnut streets, costing $350,000, and the new Court House 
at Independence, Mo., now being finished at a cost of $30,000. Mr. Cross is a 
native of Camden, N. J. He studied two years in New York City, and two years in 
St. Louis, Mo., where he was partner of John Johnston in 185 1, and he came to 
Kansas City in 1858. He is a gentleman with an architedl's eye and an architedl's 
head, and Kansas City will keep his name in remembrance as long as her best 
structures endure. 

Binkley's Steam Laundry. — 610 Broadway.— This industry was establish- 
ed in 1886, by its present proprietor, Mr. D. F. Binkley, and has gradually increased 
in business importance until it now employs twentj'-tour efficient men and women. 
Its city trade is very extensive, as it does most of the laundry work for the princi- 
pal hotels, the St. James and Pacific being among the number. The laundry oc- 
cupies two floors of a brick building 26x120 feet, and is equipped with all the 
latest improved machinery and apparatus, giving it facilities for the performance 
of prompt and excellent work, not excelled anywhere. Together with the city and 
country business, it enjoys an extensive trade in Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Neb- 
raska and Dakota, and the great success it has attained is due to Mr. Binkley's in- 
timate and practical knowledge of this line of business, the care given to the pro- 
cesses of cleansing, and the supervision given to all orders entrusted to him, as 
also the methods of promptness and despatch with which all business is accomplish- 
ed. Mr. Binkley is a native of Ohio, but was for a long time engaged as conductor 
on the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, now the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio 
Railroad. The remarkable business qualifications possessed by Mr. Binkley are 
witnessed in the progress and development of his trade, and in private life, as well 
as the busy marts of trade, he is recognized as a valued citizen. 

Bohannon Brothers & Hall. — Real Estate: Times Building, 812 Main 
street. — This firm, which is composed of Messrs. William and Richard B. Bohannon 
and Iv. A. Hall, was formed October ist, 1886, originally locating in Independence, 
and afterwards opening an office in the Times Building in this city, still retaining, 
however, its Independence office. The members of the firm are gentlemen of su- 
perior business attainments, who closely and accurately attend to all transacflions 
placed in their hands, specially guarding the interests of their clients, and by their 
thorough and accurate knowledge of all the details of the real estate business, and 
of the values of property in Kansas City and Independence have secured a large 
and constantly growing patronage, and during the first year of their business ca- 
reer, their transadlions amounted in the value of their sales, to $ 500,000. They are 
prepared to buy, sell and exchange property upon the most favorable terms, and are 
known as thoroughly reliable and accurate in their dealings. Mr. R. B. Bohannon 
resides in Independence, and attends to the business at that place, and W. Bohan- 
non and Mr. Hall have charge of the business of the office in Kansas City. In all 
the departments of a legitimate real estate business, the firm is a valuable medium, 
and its business is steadily increasing from month to month. 

S. Morledge. — Wholesale Dealer in, and Shipper of Fresh Oysters and Lake 
and River Fish ; 403 West Sixth Street. — Mr. Morledge established this business in 
1880, since which time he has steadly increased his trade, as a result of the prompt 
and satisfadlory manner in which he fills all orders for fresh oysters and every 
description of lake and river fish, of which he carries at all times a large stock and 
complete assortment on hand. He occupies a two- story building, specially adapted 
to the purposes of his business, and has built up a large trade which has become 
larger with each succeeding year, and now covers the States of Missouri, Kansas, 
Nebraska and Colorado, and extends as far west as California. He makes a specialty 
of the celebrated Horseshoe brand of Baltimore oysters, as well as all other leading 
brands, and has at all times complete stocks of New York Counts, F. & S. Selects, 
Extra Select, Horseshoe, Mediums and XXX, and also has New York and Baltimore 
bulk oysters, (solid meats) constantly for sale by the gallon. He also deals in choice 
celery and fresh lake and river fish, including whitefish, trout,!pike, pickerel, mixed 



148 The Industries of Kansas City, 



fish, dressed buffalo, dressed cat, etc. Handling nothing but the best stock, and 
carefully packing in ice and shipping all orders for oysters and fish promptly, Mr. 
Morledge has been enabled to give uniform satisfaction to his customers and to 
build up his trade to its present gratifying condition of prosperity. He is a 
thoroughly practical man in the business, in which he was engaged in Louisville, 
Ky.,for seventeen years prior to establishinghimself in this cit}'. He is aided in his 
business by a full staff of clerks and assistants, while experienced traveling sales- 
men represent him on the road. 

Baird, Brent & Co.— Real Estate Agents; F. P. Baird, Hal C. Brent; 
Office, Room 14, Baird Building. Corner of Sixth and Wyandotte Streets. — This 
business was coudiicted by F. J. Baird & Co. for fifteen years, and has been under the 
present style and name for one year. They give special attention to loans in addi- 
tion to their real estate business. They control many fine properties in the city 
and suburbs, notably Broadway Park, between Broadway and Baltimore, and 
Twenty-fifth and Twenty-seventh streets, comprising fourteen acres. The Grand 
avenue cable and the prospective South Broadway line will run to the property. 
The park is finely shaded, and has been on the market three months. It is residence 
property laid out in fifty foot lots. They also control Hyde Park addition containing 
ten acres, on Grand avenue Boulevard, between Westport and Kansas City. It is 
laid out in fifty foot lots; the streets are graded, and buildings are going up rapidly. 
A large number of lots are already sold. They have a full list of inside property both 
improved and iininproved, and they control an interest in the Armourdale Town- 
ship Co., which represents one thousand acres, upon which are built the largest 
packing establishments in the country, besides elevators, etc. Mr. Baird is the 
owner of the Baird Building, corner Sixth and Wyandotte streets, and is one of the 
men who have made Kansas City the place it is. He is a graduate of a Michigan 
University, and is a lawyer. He was a lieutenant in the i3Sth Illinois Infantry 
and came to this city about 1S65. He has been in the real estate business for a 
number of years, and is an active member of Dr.- Thompson's Presbyterian church. 
Mr. Brent conies from Paris, Ky., and has been in this city for eight years. The 
firm owns or controls a great deal of very valuable land, in and about the city, that 
if specified woiild fill a respectable book. 

Joe. Roth. — Undertaker and Furniture Dealer; Caskets and Window Shades ; 
439 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, Kas. ; Telephone 1039 — Among the enterpris- 
ing establishments that deserve special mention in the pages of the Industries of 
Kansas City is that of Mr. Joe. Roth, who at the outset in February- 1886 opened an 
undertaking business to which he added in the month of June following a stoik of 
furnitvire, carpets, window shade?, etc., in which lines he carries a carefully selected 
and largely diversified stock. In the conduct of funerals, he is essentially well 
prepared, having constantly on hand wooden and metallic caskets, shrouds and other 
necessary paraphernalia for the service of the dead, apropriately draped hearses, and 
a full supply of fine carriages is also at hand for such service with an experienced 
conductor of funerals in attendance. Four assistants are in the employ of Mr. Roth. 
The business extends to the city and surrounding country districts. The premises 
occupied for business purposes are conveniently located, 47x90 feet in dimensions, 
and possessing every facility for the conduct of the business. Mr. Roth is from 
Burlington, Iowa. Previous to engaging in business here he was similarly engaged 
in Milan, Mo. The trade secured through Mr. Roth's care and attention to this 
business amounts to upwards of $25,000 annually — and is steadily increasing in 
volume. 

Lewis I. Jacobs. — ^Jobber in Dry Goods, Notions, Clothing and Gents' Fur- 
nishings ; 414 and 416 Delaware Street. — This is a branch of the New York house 
which is a very extensive concern, with a heavy capital involved, and having branch 
houses elsewhere. This enterprising establishment occupies a fine three-story 
brick building -s^-ith basement, fronting 40 feet on Delaware street, and extending 
back to the depth of 137 feet. The interior is fitted up with all the conveniences 
for the business, including elevators, speaking tubes, elegant offices, etc. In facl 
nothing is omitted that would add to the efficiency and furtherance of the interests 
of the house. Eighteen persons are required as workmen and clerks, with a con- 
siderable pay-roll and a large annual business. Extensive lines of clothing, boots. 



The Industries of Kansas City. 



149 



shoes, hats, caps, jobbers' goods, hosiery, gloves, knit-goods, cloaks, etc. a-e carried 
in stock. The specialties of the establishment consist of job lot auction goods, 
in which it has a large trade, mainly in the city, but rapidly extending into other 
territon,-. Mr. Lewis I. Jacobs is an enterprising business man. and has an exten- 
sive experience in this line, and since the founding of this branch, in 1886, its 
course has been onward toward success. 




Meyer Brothers Drug Company. — Fifth, Washington and Fourth 

Streets. — The commercial progress and material development of cities in modern 
times, is seen through the commendable enterprise centering in certain channels 
of trade. The drug business of Kansas City has its prominent representatives in 
this progress, and special mention is due to the Meyer Brothers Drug Co. This 
house had its inception in 1S6S, at the outset doing business through houses en- 
gaged in the same business. The first record of this business is had through Gen- 
eral \V. H. Morgan and the firm of Lester & McGowen in 1S6S, following these 
come successively R. E. Wilson & Co., who were absorbed by J. W. Wood & Co., 
each in turn representing the business of this great house. Mr. F. W. Schulte, one 
of the officers of the present organization was a member of the latter firm. Mr. G T. 
L>-nn, the present se::retary of the company, prior to iSSo, ha\-ing represented 
Meyer Bros. & Co., of St. Louis, induced these gentlemen to buy out Mr. J. W. 
Woods' interest, Mr. F. W. Schulte remaining in the firm, and upon its incorpor- 
ation in 1880, the following gentlemen were installea as its officers: C. F. G. 
Meyer, President; F. W. Schulte. Vice-President; G. T. Lynn, Secretary-, and F. W. 
Sihler, Treasurer, with Messrs. F. W. Schulte and G. T. L}"nn, Managing Directors. 
The stockholders include the above officers au'^ Mr. John F. W. Meyer, of St. Louis. 



I50 Th:^ Industries of Kansas City. 



Since the corporate organization of this enterprise an unprecedented growth has 
resulted from its extensive bubiness operations and judicious management. A capi- 
tal of $50,000 was involved in tt e enterprise at the start, and now^ the company 
employ a capital of upwards of $400,000. The trade territory of the company em- 
braces Eastern Missouri and the States and Territories West, Northwest and South- 
west as far as the Pacific Coast, and commands a trade aggregating upwards of one 
and a half million dollars annually, with a constantly increasing volume of business. 
The company employ a large corps of clerks, salesmen and assistants, many of 
whom represent the interests of the house on the road. The premises located at 
Fifth and Washington streets, consist of a magnificent and substantial brick and 
terra cotta building 60 x 200 feet in dimensions, five stores and basement, replete 
with full lines of the finest drugs, chemicals, druggists' sundries and all the latest 
novelties and fancy articles known to the trade. They are also large dealers in 
paints, oils, varnishes, lead, glass, dye stuffs, brushes, etc. In addition to the 
above, the company are large manufacturers of compounds, and handle extensively 
various proprietary medicines, notably. Dr. Sherman's famotis compound, 
" Prickly Ash Bitters," " Kress Fever Tonic" and "Hot Springs Liniment," of which 
they are sole agents. The company is also interested in large drug houses in St. 
Ivouis, Mo., and Fort Wayne, Ind., which together with the Kansas City enterprise 
aggregate a larger invested capital than in any similar industry in the country. A 
perfect system prevails all through this model establishment. Their facilities for 
receipt and shipment of goods are unexcelled. The interior appointments are in 
the highest style of the cabinet maker's art ; a high sense of taste and skill is shown 
in every part of the building, from the office to the roof. The business in every 
detail is conduced upon the most perfect and systematic plans, and the exercise 01 
honorable business methods is the rule with the gentlemen at the head of the 
affairs of this company. Their success in business is the just reward of commer- 
cial sagacity and fair dealing. 

Richard M. Nake. — Mechanical Engineer ; 523 Delaware Street. — Mr. Nake, 
who is a native of German)^, has devoted his life time to the study of mechanics 
and mechanical engineering, and engaged practically in that branch of business in 
his native country prior to coming to America in 1S67, when he settled in St. Louis, 
remaining there twelve years and going from thence to Chicago, from which he came 
to Kansas City in 1883, establishing his present business in 1884. He is a thoroughly 
skillful and expert draughtsman in all matters relating to mechanics, and makes 
drawings for patents and mechanical drawings of every description, furnishing 
blue prints on application and performing all his work in the most skilled manner. 
He has drawn plans and superintended the erecflion of some of the largest grain 
elevators in the country, also mills, breweries and other establishments that require 
intricate machinery. He is now engaged in drawing plans for a patent cable grip, 
and is at all times kept busy by inventors and those having mechanical work of any 
kind, as a consequence of the superiority of his knowledge of this branch of scien- 
tific industry. 

Moline Plow Company. — Manufacturers and Jobbers of Agricultural Im- 
plements; Fa6tory at Moline, 111.; Kansas City Branch, T. B. Gorton, Manager, 
Corner of Thirteenth and Mulberry Streets. — To no other cause is the rapid develop- 
ment of the West and Southwest more largely due, than to the vast improvement 
in the means and appliances for carrying on the important business of agriculture, 
a pursuit which has been a prime fa6tor in the material aivancement of the country. 
Among the many prominent firms and corporations which have given to the farmer 
of the West, implements and machinery far superior to any ever utilized in the 
business, is the Moline Plow Co., whose works are located at Moline, 111., and which 
has branch houses and wholesale agencies in all the leading cities of the West. 
The Moline plows have long held a leading place in the confidence of the agricul- 
tural community, as being composed of the best materials, made upon the most 
rational principles, and capable of the largest amount of work with the smallest ex- 
penditure in wear and tear. In addition to the lull line of plows made by the Mo- 
line Plow Co., they are large manufacturers and jobbers of other agricultural 
implements, and their line of goods includes in addition to plows, cultivators, 
planters, drills, rakes, etc. of their own manuf idture, corn shellers, horse-powers, 
Milburn hollow-axle wagons and all kinds of farm vehicles , buggies and carriages 



The Industries of Kansas City. m 



in great variety, and in fa(5l every kind of implement used in connedlion with 
farming, all of the best and most approved makes. The branch house of the com- 
pany in this city has been maintained ever since April, 1870, enjoying a large and 
annually increasing business, its sales now reaching an average of about $500,000 
yearly; fifteen clerks and assistants being employed in the warehouse, and five 
traveling salesman representing the house in the territory assigned to this branch 
including the Western half of the State of Missouri, and the whole of Kansas, Col- 
orado, New Mexico, and Indian Territory. The premises occupied by this branch 
comprise a five-story and basement building, 111x120 feet in dimensions, convea- 
iently located and arranged for the purposes of the business, its management being 
under the efficient charge of Mr. T. B. Gorton, a thoroughly pradlical and exper- 
ienced man, whose accurate knowledge of all details of this department of industry 
and close and zealous attention to the interests of his principals have largely con- 
tributed to the augmented trade enjoyed by the branch, and which is steadily and 
perceptibly growing from month to month. 

G. W. McKean. — Dealer in California Fruits, Canned Goods and Wines; 
1318^ Main Street. — This large and promising young enterprise was established 
December ist., 1887, by Mr. McKean, who is one of the most experienced and 
thorough business men of the city. He has four travellers on the road and the 
trade of the house is developing fast, orders having already been filled for points all 
over Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. Though the goods are of that class that 
a great deal of value occupies but a small space, this business completely fills two 
floors of a building of the ample dimensions of 40 feet front and a depth of 100 feet. 
Mr. McKean makes a specialty of California Fruits, Canned Goods and Wines and 
only the very best brands and varieties are handled by him so that all patronizing 
his house are sure of receiving the choicest of all kinds of goods. He is agent for 
the Pacific Orchard Cannery, whose produdls are unsurpassed by anything in the 
market. This famous cannery stands right in the orchard and the fruits are thus 
allowed to ripen and mature upon the trees and immediately canned, upon the 
ground when grown, which accounts for the rare excellence of the goods coming 
from the house. His wines Mr. McKean gets from the renowned house of Paul O. 
Burns, whose brands are known all over the continent aud admitted to be the best 
obtainable anywhere. Mr. McKean has been a resident of Kansas City for three 
years, but has lived in this part of Missouri for thirty years. He was formerly in 
the real estate business and also filled a government office for twenty- five years 
with great credit and marked ability. 

McGraw's Kansas City Detective Agency.— J. C. McGraw, Superin- 
tendent; 728 Main Street. — The business of this institution is to protect the lives 
and property of citizens and to ferret out and arrest criminals. This association 
was established November ist., 1882, by Mr. McGraw, and it now has a well organ- 
ized night patrol, commissioned by the Board of Police Commissoners, for the 
protection of business houses and residences. There are emplo\'ed on its force 
twenty-two of the shrewdest detectives in all the great West, and it is one of the 
most reliable detedlive agencies in all the broad land. It has charge of all the 
banks and most of the business houses throughout the city, and the infrequency 01 
burglaries, robberies, thefts and other heinous crimes gives evidence of its effici- 
ency. This is the only agency of the kind in the city that utterly refuses to employ 
its talent and influence in divorce cases, either pro or con. Mr. McGraw is a native 
of Virginia, and was formerly a resident of Ohio. At the age of sixteen he entered 
into the detedlive business in Chilicothe, Ohio, and is at present time an active associ- 
ate of the Pinkerton DeteAive Agency. During the war he was in the secret service 
of the Government at Washington City. He came from Quincy, 111., five years ago, 
and immediately organized the Kansas City Detedlive Agency, as mentioned above. 

Britton & MatFiews Manufacturing Company.— 449 West Fifth 
Street. — This manufacturing, industry was organized and established in August, 
1887, by the above firm, and has, from its incipiency, constantly increased in busi- 
ness importance, until it now enjoys an annual trade of $50,000 and upwards. 
The produdl of this establishment amounts to $150 per day, and it is now emplo\ang 
three skillful and experienced mechanics, using only the best materials, and for 
beauty of finish and durability of wear, the work is unsurpassed. Among its 



152 The Industries of Kansas City. 



various works recently executed, this house points with pride to the pipe hangers of 
the American National Bank building, and wall anchors for the new Board of Trade 
building, and many other jobs of mechanrcal work. A specialty is made of all kinds 
of pipe coil, quarry and stone cutter's tools, and they are prepared to turn out the 
most satisfactory work in these lines. The building occupied for manufacturing 
purposes is a one story brick, covering an area of 22x64 feet, and is fitted up with 
all the latest improved machinery adapted to its purposes. An extensive city trade 
is secured and the business is gradually e::tending throughout Missouri and Kansas. 
Mr. Wm. Britton, senior member of the firm, is a native of England, came here 
from New York, and has been engaged in this business since 1849. He came to 
this city three years since ; was engaged with the King Novelty Manufacturing Co, 
off and on about nineteen years, part of that time foreman of the blacksmith 
shops of that company. Mr. Hugh Mathews, junior member of the firm, is a native 
of New York ; has worked at his present occupation twelve years, and was one 
time foreman of the King Novelty Manufacturing Co.'s machine shops, and has 
been a resident of Kansas City two years. 

F. E. Parker. — Real Estate; 311 Alamo Building; Corner of Seventh and 
Delaware Streets. — Mr. Parker, who is a native of Canada, has resided here since 
1881, and was in the building and contracting business prior to establishing him- 
self as a real estate dealer. He is interested in property at Randolph, Mo., as 
Secretary of the Randolph Town Site Company, and in the six months prior to this 
writing has sold $40,000 worth of property at Randolph ; and has also been largely 
successful in other transactions, having been interested in sales of property adjacent 
to Randolph, amounting to an aggregate of over $200,000. Mr. Parker has at all times 
on hand a superior list of acre propert}', which he is prepared to sell at the lowest 
prices and upon the most favorable terms, and those desiring to invest in real 
estate can do no better than call upon Mr. Parker, and see what he has to offer. 

J. C. MitchelSOn & Co. — Wholesale Leaf Tobacco Dealers; 301 Dela- 
ware Street. — This well known enterprise dates its inception back to 1880, when 
J. C. Mitchelson and C. A. Hibbard came to Kansas City from Hartford, Conn., for 
the purpose of establishing it, also retaining their interest in the leaf tobacco 
packing establishment of A. Mitchelson & Sons, at Tariffville, Conn. Energetic 
and industrious, and pioneers to Kansas City in their especial line of trade, these 
young men have become well and favorably known, and occupy prominent positions 
in the commercial circles of Kansas City. They have by close application built up 
a large and constantly increasing business, and enjoy the confidence of the trade 
throughout the West. Their trade lies principally with the cigar manufacturers, 
and their goods may be found in twelve states and territories, their special at- 
tention, however, being directed to the States of Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Texas 
and Kansas. Cigar manufacturing, an industry almost unknown west of the Mis- 
souri River ten years ago, has already grown to large proportions, Kansas alone 
showing a vast increase in cigars manufactured within the past few years. The 
new and live towns of the West aff"ord a tempting field for the Eastern manufacturer, 
and many are embracing the opportunities offered, and meeting with flattering 
success. 

Morgan Commission Company. — Wholesale Commission Merchants ; 
Office and Warehouse, 407 Delaware Street. — The members of this j^oung, 
though enterprising firm are Messrs. T. W. Morgan, J. B. Yakey and E. W. Samuel. 
Mr. T. W. Morgan established the house January i, 1887, and in the fol- 
lowing July was joined by Mr. Samuel, and in September the firm was 
further strengthened by receiving Mr. J. B. Yakey into partnership. The capi- 
tal stock of this house is $3,000 in investments, but its consignment capital 
approximates $roo,ooo, and although so recently established, its business has 
already exceeded the most sanguine expectations of its founders. The office 
and warehouse of the company are located at 407 Deleware street, where they 
are amply provided with storage room, and facilities for the transaction of their in- 
creasing business. The specialities of the house consist of flour, grain, hay and 
potatoes, which they handle in car-lots, and they are sole agents for " Pine Chip 
Kindling," a new and very valuble kindling for city purposes. They are special 
agents of J. Monroe Taylor, of New York, manufacturers of soda, American Stock 



The Industries op Kansas City. 



153 



Companyls goods, of Columbus, Ind., and Price & Lucas' celebrated cider, Louis- 
ville, Kv. They sell only in job lots, this forming an essential feature of the house, 
whose trade amounts annually to the sum of |ioo,ooo. Its trade is ver}- 
extensively distributed throughout Missouri, and also extends outward into the 
States of Kansas, Arkansas, Colorado and Nebraska; and is steadily increasing. 
Mr. Morgan is a native of Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, and was formerly lo- 
cated in Glasgow, Mo., where he was engaged in the brokerage and commission 
business for some time prior to his removal to Kansas City, December i, 1886, soon 
thereafter organizing the present business. Mr. Morgan is also about to organize a 
stock company for the manufacture and sale of a threshing machine, of which he is 
one of the inventors, and which is based upon a new and perfect process, and 
promises to be of great utility. E. W. Samuel is originally of Salisbury, Mo., where 
he acquired years of valuable business experience, and came to Kansas City, not long 
prior to his becoming a partner in this firm, of which he is a valued member. 
Mr. Yakey, who is a native of Trenton, Mo., has been a resident of the city about 
one year^ and through the favorable inducements offered by the house was pre- 
vailed upon to join the firm, which as now constituted is doing a very flourishing 
business, as all of its members are gentlemen of business tact and sagacity, and 
well represent the growing spirit of this city. This house is the only exclusive 
commission house in Kansas City, and was the first house to receive a shipment 
from Colorado, having just received a carload of potatoes. 

Oscar Sachs. — Real Estate, Rental, Insurance, Collecting and Loan 
Agency ; Hammerslough Building, Southwest Corner of Fifth and Main Streets. — 

This enterprise was organized and established 
in the spring of 1887. Its transadlions since 
the commencement have been exceptionally 
large and steadily increasing in volume, 
throughout Missouri and Kansas, as well as 
locally. Mr. Sachs is doing a vast amount of 
rental business within the city, securing good 
tenants for vacant properties and collecting 
rents. Another special feature of his business 
is buying and selling real estate in the city 
and among the various popular additions. 
Mr. Sachs is sole agent for the Baltimore 
Hights, and controls the sale of other popu- 
lar additions to Kansas City. His recent sales 
embrace twenty acres, located in the south- 
eastern portion of the cit}-, for $15,000, and he 
has been successful in making other large 
deals. Mr. Oscar Sachs is a native of Berlin, 
where he was educated. He came to America 
in 1881, landing in New York. For a consider- 
able time after his arrival, he was engaged as 
bookkeeper and cashier with the well known and extensive clothing house of 
Hammerslough & Co., of this city. Aside from his present business connections, 
he is a member of the board of direcflors of the German Hospital, and at present, 
the efficient Secretary of that institution. This firm also does a considerable busi- 
ness in negotiating loans for eastern capitalists, as well as on its own account. 
Some of the leading home and foreign in-urance companies are also abh' repre- 
sented by Mr. Oscar Sachs. Mr. Sachs has recently been appointed general agent, 
at this point, for The Germania Life Insurance Company, of New York, one of the 
most reliable and strongest companies in life insurance in the world. 

Piatt & Co. — Packers of" Tiger Brand " Oysters and Canned Goods; Whole- 
sale Dealers in Fresh Fish ; Branch House, 1304 Union Avenue ; Theodore 
Gowdy, Manager. — Kansas City is the commercial and industrial magnet of enter- 
prises which bring trade from 'all over the country. Piatt & Company, Baltimore, 
are among the many who have in recent years availed themselves of the facilities 
that this citv affords for the distribution 'of their products to the growing popula- 
tions of the'rapidly developing West. It is safe to aver that no other point in the 
United States has greater advantages in this regard, and promises a better return 




154 T-B.-E Industries of Kansas City. 



for large investments by enterprising business men. Piatt & Co., are too well 
known for any further notice than a passing reference to their firm organization, 
which is composed of Herman S. Piatt and his brother, Wm. D. Piatt, who are busi- 
ness men of high commercial standing. Their goods are exclusively first quality, 
and are sold by all first class dealers throughout the country. The branch house in 
Kansas City has for its manager, Mr. Theodore Gowdy, who has twenty-five men in 
his employ; and the trade supplied by him covers the States of Kansas, Missouri, 
Colorado, Nebraska, Texas, and the Territories. A building two stories high, 40 by 
no feet in dimensions, completel}^ equipped with every essential appliance for 
freezing car loads of fresh fish, and cold storage for fresh oj'sters, is used, connect- 
ing readily with the various railroads radiating from this cit}^ in all directions. In 
short every convenience is at hand in this model establishment in keeping with the 
methods and perfect system that prevail in the parent house in Baltimore. Mr. 
Theodore Gowdy, the manager, has been a resident of Kansas Cit)^ nearly two 
years, and with the firm nine years. His efficient management has resulted in a 
decidedly great success for Piatt & Co., in Kansas City. 

M. J. Scholer. — ArchiteA and Brewery Engineer ; 504 Alamo Building. — 
Mr. Scholer, who has resided for four years in Kansas City, is of American nativity. 
He went to Karlsruhe and Heidelberg, Germany, when a young man, to stud}^ archi- 
tecture there, and, after spending several j^ears in close application to all the details 
of the art, he returned to the United States and located in St. Louis, Mo., where he 
remained for a number of years prior to coming to Kansas City. Here he originally 
located in the Emmons Building at 123 West Sixth street, from which he removed 
to his present quarters a year ago. Since coming here Mr. Scholer has enjoyed a 
large and steadily increasing patronage, his thorough and accurate knowledge of 
all the details of his art and the combination of beauty and utility in his designs 
having created a demand for his services. Among the prominent productions of 
his skill may be mentioned the sanitarium of Dr. Scott at Independence, the 
Sulpho-Saline Sanitarium at Fort Scott, Kas., the Atchison Block at Atchison, Kas., 
and a number of other prominent structures, residences, etc. He makes a specialty 
of designing and superintending the erection of breweries and brewery ware- 
houses, and nearly all the structures of that kind in this city have been ereCted 
under his skilled supervision. He is at present engaged in putting up the ware- 
house, office and refrigerating building for the Philip Best Brewing Company's 
branch, and which when completed will be one of the handsomest structures of 
that kind in the country ; and he also is engaged upon a number of other prominent 
buildings in this city and elsewhere. Among his brewer}^ work may be mentioned 
the branch depots for the Val Blatz Brewing Company, Joseph Schlitz Brewing 
Company, Phil. Best Brewing Company', Anheuser-Busch Brewing Companj', and 
the Ferd. Heim Brewing Company. Thoroughly praCtical in every branch of the 
business and closely supervising the ereCtion of the buildings designed by him, so 
as to secure their perfeCt adaptation to the uses for which they are intended, Mr. 
Scholer has well earned the reputation he enjoys as one of the most skillful and 
conscientious architects in the city. 

GinOCChio Brothers & Co. — Wholesale Green and Dried Fruits; 519 
Walnut Street. — This enterprise is a branch house of the celebrated Ginocchio 
Brothers & Co., of St. Louis, where the business has been established for a number 
of years. But the demands of a rapidly increasing Western trade, induced them to 
open a house at Kansas City about one year ago, where the business at once took a 
leading position under the efficient direction of Mr. Harryjones, who is the resident 
manager at this point and junior member of the firm. Since the inception of the 
business there has been gratifying report of a large and steadil}^ increasing trade, 
which extends all through Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, New Mexico and to a con- 
siderable extent into Nebraska. The fruits and products dealt in consist mainly of 
bananas of which upwards of two carloads on an average are handled weekly. The 
greater part of the cocoanuts sold in the market are supplied through the medium 
of this enterprising firm. Foreign and domestic nuts of every kind are also a part 
of the stock in trade, and the house makes a specialty of California fruits in their 
season, as well as Malaga grapes, which are received in carload lots. Other special 
lines for which this house is famous, are foreign and domestic dried fruits, compris- 
ing figs, dates, raisins, currants, prunes and California evaporated fruits, for which 



I 



Thk Industries of Kansas City. 155 



a very large and constantly increasing demand exists all through this section of 
country. New Jersey and Wisconsin cranberries constitute another feature of the 
great variety of fruits handled by this house. The premises occupied for business 
purposes are eligibh^ located and consist of two commodious floors 25x125 feet in 
area, and conveniently arranged for the safe receipt, storage and shipment of goods. 
A single representative of this house takes care of its interests within its trade 
territor}', as a system of quotations through the mail to correspondents is deemed 
quite sufficient for the purpose of inducing a desirable patronage, prices and honor- 
able business methods being the main considerations with (!>o«a^a?^ purchasers. This 
house stands in the front rank of the fruit commission business of the Gate City. 

Chapman & Dewey. — Wholesale Lumber; Office, 20 Security Building, 
Corner of Sixth and Wyandotte Streets. — This firm, which is composed of Messrs. 
W. H. and E. H. Chapman and W. C. Dewej^ is largely engaged as manufacturers of 
and wholesale dealers in lumber, the firm running twenty-two portable mills, most 
of which are located in Missouri and having a monthly cut of about 1,500,000 feet, 
principally in cottonwood, specially adapted for box lumber. In addition to their 
own cut the firm deals largely in the cut of other mills, and has at all times on 
hand and for sale large stocks and diversified assortments of native woods, cotton- 
wood, sycamore, elm, walnut, maple, ash, and oak timber, pilings, ties, posts, etc. 
They have a yard located at Nineteenth and Wyoming streets, where thej- carry a 
large stock of hard woods and soft lumber, and which is conveniently located to 
facilitate handling and shipment, and the firm does, in addition to a very large 
local business, an extensive shipping trade to Nebraska, Colorado and Kansas. 
They have a very large business in railroad timber, ties and pilings and also in elm 
and sycamore for foundation work, as well as a large business in timber for boxes, 
sewers, foundations, etc. All the members of the firm are experienced men in this 
department of business, and the firm enjoys the confidence and patronage of the 
trade, as a result of the uniformly fair and accurate methods upon which their 
business is conduced. Mr. W. H. Chapman, in addition to his position as a member 
of this firm, is Secretary of the Kansas City Bridge and Iron Works ; and all the 
members of the firm are thoroughly accurate business men, under whose supervision 
the business is condu6led in a manner which compels success. 

Continental Shot Works.— North End of Santa Fe Street.—The Con- 
tinental Shot Works is one of Kansas City's notably successful enterprises which 
has enjoyed a comparatively short, though highly satisfacSlory existence. The busi- 
ness was first established in 1885 iDy the present proprietors, Messrs. Hugh Merrie 
and F. C. Ripley, both of whom have been engaged in the lead industry for the past 
fifteen }'ears. Thus they are endowed with that valuable requisite, experience, 
coupled with an established reputation for being business men of honor and high 
standing in commercial circles. The building occupied by them is two stories 
high, 75 feet in breadth by 100 feet in length and their capacity to manufacfture is 
one thousand sacks of shot per day. The firm are catering to a rapidly increasing 
trade by manufa6luring a superior article at lowest prices. They give employment 
to five assistants and make a specialty of highly finished standard drop and buck 
shot. 

L. L. Graham. — Scenic Artist, Contractor for Stage Equipments, Theat- 
rical Hardware, Frame Work, Canvas, Traps, Bridges and Every Necessary Equip- 
ment of First Class Theatres ; 525 & 527 Main Street. — Such industries as the one 
under special notice, are among the necessary concomitants of a rapidly develop- 
ing metropolitan community, indicating that spirit of enterprise that caters to re- 
fined .taste and social enjoyment. Mr. L. L. Graham is a prominent representative 
of the scenic art in Kansas City, having established this business here four j'ears 
ago in conjunAion with Mr. Davis, who withdrew from the firm some two years 
since. Mr. Graham is an adept in this line, having followed the business upwards 
of twenty-five years. His first experience in the school of art was had at McVick- 
ers' Theater, Chicago, 111., and subsequent training in San Francisco, Cleveland, 
Memphis and New Orleans. His establishment here is eligibly located at 525-527 
Main Street, and consists of a studio and shops fitted up with every essential ap- 
pliance and convenience for the correA and expeditious execution of the work, 
which comprises high art stage scenery and equipments, rich and elegant stage 



156 The Industries of Kansas City. 

curtains, stage properties of every description, theatrical hardware, frame work, 
canvas, traps, bridges, etc. One special featiire of Mr. Graham's industry is his 
advertising drop curtain, which is richly draped on the top and sides with royal 
crimson and heavy bullion fringes and pendants gracefully falling on steps painted 
at bottom of curtain. In the center is a large and artistically painted pidture in 
stucco frame, which is surrounded bj- a border of deep Prussian blue, divided into 
spaces for the insertion of business cards. The cards may be lettered in a becoming 
and artistic style in bright gold, the whole having a brilliant and pleasing efifedl. 
There are usually from eighteen to twenty of these spaces of varying sizes to suit 
the advertiser as to the amount he desires to pay. Full particulars concerning this 
feature will be furnished by mail, upon application, to theatre managers, hall pro- 
prietors and others interested ; as well as any other information appertaining to 
stage equipment and carpentry. Mr. Graham has executed stage work for some 
fifty or sixty houses in Nebraska, notabl}^ at Omaha and Lincoln, etc., and for forty- 
five different houses in Kansas, including Winfield, Wichita and Anthony, also at 
St. Joe, Hannibal, Springfield and many others in Missouri. There are at times as 
man}- as thirtA'-six men in his employ upon an average weekly pay roll of $500.00, 
Mr. Graham giving his personal attention to every detail of this most intricate work. 
Contradls were made for Priests of Pallas and trades displays and pageants in Kansas 
City. 

Osborn & Powell. — Real Estate Brokers; Rooms 13 and 14, Wales Building, 
Northwest Corner of Sixth and Delaware Streets. — This industry was organized 
and established in 1886, by the present firm, and is now conducting an annual busi- 
ness of $300,000. The principal portion of its trade is located in Missouri and Kan- 
sas, and it is enjoying an extensive city business. Its specialties are the purchase 
and sale of residence property in all the various additions and in Argentine, as well 
as outside and inside property generally. This firm are the owners of over $250,000 
in real estate in Argentine, and also have large interests in Simmons & McGeehan 
addition, and they own entire the R. P. McGeehan addition and also considerable 
city and Wyandotte propert}^ They are agents for the sale of many other popular 
additions. They recently sold a tract of land containing 266 acres, near Argentine, 
Kansas, for the neat little sum of $312 coo, besides other large sales ranging from 
$50,000 to f 100,000 and upwards. Mr. W. H. Osborn is a native of Ohio, was 
formerly engaged in the real estate business in Cleveland, that State, biit previous 
to that time was of the firm of Adams, Osborn & Goodwillie. He went to San 
Francisco, California, where he established the first electric. motor in that city. He 
came to Kansas City about one year ago and entered into the real estate business, 
that has achieved a brilliant success. Mr. W. L. Powell is a native of Illinois, but 
has been a resident of Kansas City about three years. Besides being interested in 
the Argentine Real Estate and Investment Compan}-, he is a stockholder in the 
Kansas City Radiator and Iron Foundry Co. and other enterprises here. This firm 
have two branch offices located in this city, and are doing a prosperous andprofiit- 
able business. 

Pearsons & Kiersted. — Consulting Engineers; Water-works Building. — 
G. W. Pearsons was called here in 1878 to plan and build the water-works, and has 
been chief and consulting engineer of the works since their construdlion, but with 
an important outside pradlice in civil and mechanical engineering, his works rang- 
ing from Maine to Colorado and from Lake Superior to the Gulf. The work here 
lately requiring most of his time, he has associated with him Mr. W. Kiersted, 
formerly of Omaha, and his son, M. R. C. Pearsons, in order to be able to continue 
his pradlice in other localities. The specialties of the firm are water-works and 
sewerage, but being pradlical mechanics the range of their ability is greater than 
that of most similar firms. 

S. D. Mills Jewelry Company.— S. D. Mills, President; H. F. Sloane, 
Vice-President; H. S. Mills, Treasurer; Manufadluring Jewelers; Rooms 300 and 
301 Alamo Building, Corner of Seventh and Delaware Streets.^ — This business, which 
is strictly manufadluring, was established in 1882 by Simeon D. Mills, and condudled 
under his name at 725 Main street until January 21, 1886, when it was incorporated, 
and soon afterwards removed to its present location. In their fa(5lory are all the 
latest improvements known to the jewelry trade. Their machinery is driven by 



The Industries op Kansas City. 



157 



eledlricity and the melting and refining is all done by one of the latest improved 
gas melting machines. The trade of this concern has enjoyed the steady growth of 
all carefully condudted businesses in this city. They are at present employing a large 
force of highly skilled mechanics, and manufa6ture only solid gold jewelry and 
diamond mountings, of which the latter is by far the largest part of their product. 
They keep constantly on hand a large and carefully selected stock of diamonds and 
other precious stones, making their purchases through some of the largest import- 
ers in New York City. 

U. S. Wind Engine & Pump Co.— Manufa6lurers and Dealers in 
Halladay's Standard Wind Mills, and a Full Line of Railway, Village, Farm, and 

Ornamental Water Sup- 
ply Materials; Fa6tory and 
Principal Office at Batavia, 
111., Branch House, 131 1 
and 1313 West Twelfth 
Street.— This celebrated 
fadlory of wind engines 
and pumps is located at 
Batavia, 111., having been 
incorporated at its incep- 
tion in 1859. The Kansas 
City branch was establish- 
ed in 1881, since which 
time its course has been 
steadily onward. It oc- 
cupies a commodious five 
story brick building, 48X 
125 feet in dimensions, 
fronting on 1311 and 1313 
West Twelfth Street, with 
a railroad track entering 
the warehouse, thereby 
rendering the receipt and 
shipment of goods rapid 
and convenient. Twenty- 
five employes assist in the 
various manipulations of 
the house, while five 
traveling salesmen repre- 
sent its interests upon the 
road, and aid in extending 
its patronage, which at 
present is principally 
throughout Missouri and 
Kansas. The business amounts in volume to $450,000 annually. The resident 
manager, H. S. Ferguson, is a native Illinoisian. He has been the resident manager 
since 1882. In connection with the manufactures named, this house also deals in 
plumbers' supplies, brass goods, belting, hose, steam-pumps, tanks, " I. X. L. " f^?^*^ 
mills, road scrapers, etc., all of which are of superior grades. A personal inspedtion 
of these goods is respectfully invited, correspondence attended to with care and 
dispatch and a perfedl system prevails in every department of this establishment 
under Mr. Ferguson's management. 

Robert Salisbury & Co.— Real Estate and Loan Brokers; 727 Wattiut 
Street.— This business began in 1883 under the name of Salisbury & Walmsley, but 
changed to its present style and name in 1885, with Robert Salisbury and Daniel 
Geary as copartners. They confine their whole attention to city operations, as a 
rule, giving special attention to residence property, and do a good and profitable 
business. Mr. Salisbury has resided twenty-eight years in Kansas City, and was As- 
sessor for twelve years for the city, previous to which, he held the responsible posi- 
tion of Government Assessor, so that probably no man in the city is a better judge 
of the value of real estate than he, and consequently investors would study their own 




158 The Industries of Kansas City. 



interests by placing their funds in his hands. Mr. McGeary has been thirty years in 
the city and was formerly in the banking business and is an able financier. The 
firm invest money, collect rents, and pay taxes for non-residents, and no more 
reliable agents are to be found in the city. They stand high in public favor, and 
command the confidence of a wide patronage all through this sedlion. 

G. W. Strope & Co. — Wholesale and Retail Pianos and Organs; 206 and 
208 West Ninth Street. — This enterprise was originally established in New York 
City by Mr. G. W. Strope, in 1857. Subsequently the business was removed to Chi- 
cago, and eleven years ago this city was found available for the display of the 
indomitable skill and enterprise of the subject of this sketch. The firm deal in 
pianos of their own manufacture and the Behming piano, also organs of standard 
makes. The trade is local and extends to the States of Missouri and Kansas with a 
steady increase in the volume of business done annually. There are eight compe- 
tent assistants in the employ of the house. The premises are eligibly located at 
206 and 208 West Ninth street, and consist of a handsome three-story brick struc- 
ture, 25 X 107 feet in dimensions, completely stocked with instruments and supplied 
with every modern convenience requisite to the condudt of the business, and ele- 
gant plate glass fronts in which is artistic displayed specimens of the goods 
carried by the house. Mr. Strope is a native of the Empire State, where he acquired 
a thorough knowledge of this industry, and is considered an adept at the business. 
His success is due to consummate skill in the manufacture of instruments, and 
close attention to the conduct of his affairs. 

The Railroad Employes Investment Company.— Offices 122 and 

124 West Third Street. — This company was originally instituted by railroad em- 
ployes, but as it grew in importance, others became interested in the enterprise 
and it finally assumed it present corporate form in 18S4, with Messrs. H. C. Litch- 
field as President; T. B. Spellman, Vice-President; Clark Jones, Treasurer, and W. 
G. Viereg, Secretary. These officers are business men of ability and high commer- 
cial standing. Mr. Litchfield is also President of the Railroad Transfer Co., whose 
oflices are in the same building, and has special mention in another part of this 
work. Stockholders in this company may take as many shares as Ihey wish, and 
pay one dollar monthly per share. This company owns considerable property in 
the city, notably, a thirteen acre tract on Woodland avenue, which is at present 
subdivided into parcels of one acre each, but these will, probably, be further sub- 
divided and put upon the market in the earl}^ spring. The company also own 
property in Litchfield Place, on Grand Boulevard, which is now on the market. 
Troost's second addition also belonged to them, but has been disposed of, as has also 
200 feet they had on Olive street. The value of these properties is an index of the 
flourishing condition and financial strength of this corporation. 

The Railroad Transfer Company.— H. C. Litchfield, President; F. w. 
Schulte, Vice President; W. H. Seeger, Secretary and Treasurer; 122 and 124 West 
Third Street. — Reliable transfer companies are a necessity in large cities, like Kansas 
City, where shippers break bulk, and this company is responsible, reliable and 
highly efficient in the service they render. They occup}^, at 122 and 124 West Third 
street, a building 50x160 feet, and employ twenty-five men and from fifteen to 
eighteen double teams. The company was formed in 1872, and has won the con- 
fidence of shippers by prompt and faithful handling of merchandise. They have 
correspondents in San Francisco, Boston, St. Louis and Chicago, who consign 
car loads here for re-shipment, distribution or city delivery, for which last they 
have special package wagons. The officers of the company also hold responsible 
positions in other important concerns, Mr. Schulte being connected with the Meyer 
Bros. Drug Compau}-, while Mr. Seeger is Cashier of the Citizen's National Bank. 
Mr. Litchfield is a prominent business man, and is also President of the Railroad 
Bmploj-es Investment Co., whose notice appears in another part of this work. 

Jerome Twitchell & Co. — Corrugated and Standing Seam Iron Roof- 
ing, Siding, Ceiling, Etc., and Building Material Generally; 521 Delaware Street. — 
This business was established in March, 1886, by Mr. Jerome Twitchell, who con- 
tinued the business alone until December, 1886, when he was joined by Mr. W. F. 
Norman, forming the present firm. The office of the firm is eligibly located at 521 



The Industries op Kansas City. 159 



Delaware street, in addition to which they have a spacious warehouse at 1312 and 
1314 West Twelfth street. The firm are Western agents for the Cincinnati Corru- 
gating Co.; the National Sheet Metal Roofing Co., of New York; The Dodd Manu- 
facturing Co., of New York ; The Fred. J. Meyer Manufacturing Co., of Covington, 
Ky.; and Perkins & Son, iron shutters. They also deal largely in building materi- 
als of every kind, and do an extensive and steadily growing business with builders 
and contractors in the city and throughout the States of Missouri, Kansas and 
Colorado and New Mexico.' Being agents for leading manufacturers in this depart- 
ment of industry, the firm is enabled to offer unsurpassed inducements both in 
quality and price to the trade, and both members of the firm being business men of 
experience, and closely attending to all the details of the business, they have 
secured the favor and "approbation of the trade, and have established their enter- 
prise upon a substantial and successful basis. Mr. Twitchell, of the firm, came 
from Louisville, Ky., to Kansas City in 1879, and engaged in the commission busi- 
ness iintil the inauguration of this enterprise, and Mr. Norman, his partner, was 
engaged in commercial pursuits at Nevada, Mo., prior to coming here. Both are 
gentlemen of superior business attainments, who bring to the business all the ele- 
ments necessary to lead it to prosperity. 

J. C. Salmon & Co.— Merchandise Brokers; 1318 and 1324 Union Ave- 
nue. — Eight years of active commercial life which this house has enjoyed, has re- 
sulted in a business prosperity far exceeding the early anticipations of the founders, 
Messrs. J. C. Salmon and H.'d. Seavey. The business has been pushed into its 
present leading position of prominence among the largest houses of Kansas City, 
by the untiring and intelligent efforts put forth by the above named gentlemen. 
The building occupied is a commodious, brick struAure, 50 x 100 feet in dimensions, 
with railroad switches at the rear for the expeditious receipt and shipment of goods. 
Mr. J. C. Salmon has been a resident of Kansas City nine years. He \yas born in 
New York, and has had a life time business experience as a merchandise broker. 
Mr. H. D. Seavey has lived here five years. He is also of New York, but previous to 
removing here he was a well-known merchandise broker of Chicago. 

Benj. McLean & Co.— Hides and Wool; Corner of Tenth and Hickory 
Streets. — One of the most important and influential enterprises of the Gate City, as 
well as one of the oldest, is that of Messrs. Benj. McLean & Co., the individual 
members of which are Messrs. Benj. McLean and F. E. Tyler. The business had its 
inception twenty-three years ago, Mr. F. E. Tyler being admitted to a co-partner- 
ship in 1881. Branch houses are established a't South Pueblo, Durango, Gunnison 
City and Alamosa, Colorado ; Butte City, Montana, and Santa Fe and Socorro, New 
Mexico. Through these they cover a wide expanse of territory from whence their 
valuable supply of hides and wool is derived, and the largest stock of this valuable 
produdt carried of any siniiliar concern in the United States. The firm have super- 
ior facilities for storage, curing and fating proper care of their hides and wool. 
Their premises are eligibly located, convenient to railroad lines radiating in every 
direction ; owning switches that pass in front and rear of their warehouses, which con- 
sist of a substantial brick strudlure three stories in height, 100 x 100 feet in dimen- 
sions with ample basements andj'ards. There are seventy- five men in their employ 
at an average monthly pay-roll of $6,000, a number of whom are constantly traveling 
throughout Old and New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas and California 
buving stock for the house. The firm has also competent representatives in Boston, 
Philadelphia, New York and other large Eastern cities, negotiating sales in home 
and foreign markets. Their business transactions amount to upwards of $2,000,000 
annually. Mr. Benj. McLean has been a resident of Kansas City upwards of twenty- 
three A-ears. He is a Canadian by birth and education, and prior to engaging in 
this enterprise was a tanner bv occupation. He is also largely interested in real 
estate and cattle dealing. His' associate in business, Mr. F. E. Tyler, has been a 
resident of this city seven years. He formerly resided in the State of Indiana, and 
was engaged in the hardware trade for many years. In every respe6t this business 
enterprise is eminently representative of Western progress, and Kansas City 
may well be proud of one of its main fa6tors in the development of industrial en- 
terprise here. The success and rapid growth of this house in commercial import- 
ance, is due to the indomitable courage and business sagacity coupled with that 
high commercial integrity that characterizes the members of this firm. 



i6o The; Industries of Kansas City. 



R. I. McQuiddy. — Real Estate; 323 Alamo Building. ^This business was 
established in 1886, by Dr. R. I. McQuiddy, with a view to taking advantage of the 
important development of the real estate interests of Kansas City, owing to the 
increasing demand for residence and business sites, and the consequent rapid en- 
hancement of city and suburban property. The location of this business at the 
outset was at No. 564 Walnut street, but was removed to the present quarters in Sep- 
tember, 1887. The transadlions of this office consist in the sale of city, farm and 
acre property, among the most desirable for business, residence and farming pur- 
poses. Dr. McQuiddy hails from Kentuck}'; has been a resdent of Kansas City two 
years, and in his business conne(5lions is associated with the Frankfort syndicate, 
and another private syndicate, which have considerable realty in the Eastern Bottoms. 
The Doctor is also a member in high standing and one of the organizers of the In- 
terstate Real Estate Exchange. Prior to engaging in the present enterprise he 
practiced medicine in his native State of Kentucky for a number of years. He is a 
business man of large experience, and possessor of more than ordinarily sound 
judgment and commercial tadl. His enterprise has proved a decided success and a 
promising future awaits his well diredled efforts. 

H. Oppenheimer & Co. — Wholesale Dealers in Watches, Diamonds, 
Jewelry, Etc.; 607 Delaware Street. — This business was established by Mr. Herman 
Oppenheimer, who is its sole proprietor, in January, 1880, since which time he has 
enjoj-ed a large and steadily growing trade, as a result of the extent and diversity 
of his stock, which embraces everything in the line of watches, diamonds, jewelry, 
etc., of every description. His business is exclusivel}' at wholesale, and he has in 
addition to twelve competent clerks and assistants who are employed in the house, 
a staff of four adlive and experienced traveling salesmen of wide acquaintance, who 
represent the house in a territor}- comprising Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Dakota, Ne- 
braska, Indian Territory, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado, in all of which 
the firm has an unsurpassed reputation with dealers, as a consequence of the uniformly 
reliable and accurate methods upon which Mr. Oppenheimer conducts his business. In 
addition to his proprietorship of this business, Mr. Oppenheimer is connected with 
the S. D. Mills Jewelry Co., of this city, manufacturing jewelers, and is otherwise 
identified with prominent business affairs. Since engaging in his present enter- 
prise he has applied himself with industry to the development of the business with 
the result of present success and a bright outlook for the future. 

The Kansas City Investment Company.— Edward E. Holmes, 
President and Treasurer ; Willis G. M3'ers, Vice-President ; George M. Van Evera, 
Secretary; Alfred N. Gossett, Auditor ; Security Building, Sixth and W}'andotte 
Streets. — One of the best known and most substantial of the investment corpora- 
tions of the West is the Kansas City Investment Co., which was incorporated in 
1882, and which now has a capital stock of $200,000. The company makes invest- 
ments secured by first class mortgage on real estate in Kansas, Missouri and Texas, 
and has a large and steadily growing patronage from capitalists in all parts of the 
country, who are attracted by the advantages which investments in real estate in 
the territory covered b}' the operations of this company offer in the way of return 
in interest. The company has since its organization loaned over $5,000,000 and 
the system adopted is in every respect such as to commend it to favorable con- 
sideration and patronage. The company keeps on hand a large assortment of real 
estate bonds for sale, collects and awards interest and principal free of expense for 
the holder of the notes, and issues debenture bonds. All securities are carefully 
examined, and as a preliminarj- to each investment, the company satisfies itself 
not only as to the charadler and qualitj^ of the land, but also regarding the charac- 
ter and credit of the borrower, his standing, reputation, etc. The company makes 
a specialty of loans on farm lands and Kansas City improved property, and its facili- 
ties for favorable investments of this character are not surpassed bj' any financial 
institution in the West, its experience in the business enabling it to make careful 
selection of securities. The Eastern office of the company is at Market Square, 
Portsmouth, N. H., where the Vice-President, Mr. Myers, resides. In addition to 
their connexion with this company, they are also prominently conneAed with other 
important investments in the West, including The New Hampshire Investment 
Co., and Rockingham Land Co., both of which are incorporated under the laws of 
Missouri. Mr. George M. Van Evera, the Secretary of the company, is a gentleman 



The Industries of Kansas City. 



i6i 



of superior business attainments, who devotes his entire time and attention to this 
business and who has largely contributed by his efficiency to the steady expansion 
of tie business of the company from its organization to the present time. 

William B. Grimes Dry Goods Company.-W. B- Crimes President; 
M. A Potts, Vice-President; J. J. SwofFord, Second Vice-President; Geo. B. Mills, 




Treasurer; Importers and Jobbers of Dry Goods, Notion and Furmsh^^^ 
and Manufacturers of Staple Clothing ; 512, SU and 516 ^f a;,"^^"^ jtf^^^-^^f^^J^t"^ 
stantial and prosperous house is justly regarded as one ^J'^^J^l^lll^'J"/^^ Se 
goods establishments of the country, and ^^J^^ta^^^^; ^i^^^^.'^^.'The^c^^ 
West, either in the extent of its resources or the volume of it^ trade_ The company 
was incorporated January i, 1883, with a paid-in '^^P^^f^^^^^J^^^J^^J^^t^"^^^^ M^ 
nremises occupied embrace a five-story and basement building erectea ^Y J^'f- 
^nS B Gr?m:s e'specially for the purposes of the company, and ^ 
at 512 and 516 Delaware street, having a!frontage of seventy-hve teet b) a aeptn 01 



i62 The Industries op Kansas City. 



one hundred and forty feet. Here is stored, in generous profusion, everything in 
the line of staple and fancy dry goods, including, in addition to the finest produc- 
tions of American mills, full and complete lines of imported English and French 
dress goods, blankets, white goods, laces, embroideries, notions, hosiery, gloves, 
furnishing goods, etc., the stock in each of these departments being kept thoroughly 
assorted, and containing in addition to staple goods, all the latest novelties in 
styles and fabrics. In addition to this business, the company is also largely en- 
gaged in the manufacture of men's duck, denim, cottonade, jeans and cassimere 
clothing, in which line their produdt is without a superior, and is largely in de- 
mand by dealers. About forty-five clerks and assistants are employed in the house, 
and eighteen experienced traveling salesmen represent the firm in its trade territory 
comprising Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Indian 
Territory and Arkansas. The company has most ample resources and every facility 
for the successful prosecution of the business, which is very heavy, and covers its 
territory completely. Vast as the trade of the house is, every detail of its business 
is conduced upon perfe6l system, which insures accuracy in its transactions, 
promptness in filling orders and satisfactory relations with its customers. A cor- 
rect knowledge of the wants of the trade, sound judgment in the management of 
the business, and honorable methods in all their dealings have secured for the 
house the gratifying success it now enjoys, and a steady increase in the volume of 
its trade from year to year. The company has a New York ofiice located at 51 
Leonard street, at which Mr. F. W. Guinn is located as the resident buyer, in 
which department of the business he has had long experience, having been exten- 
sively engaged in the dr)' goods and commission business in New York City prior 
to the organization of this company. Mr. W. B. Grimes, the President of the com- 
pany, is a native of Hartford, Conn., from which he went to Texas in 1855, engaging 
in the cattle business, of which he made a grand success, and in which he is still 
largely interested both in Texas and Indian Territory. In 1877 he came to Kansas 
City and invested extensively in real estate, and in 1882 his judgment as to the 
future of Kansas City led him to formulate the present enterprise, and he built the 
premises now occupied by the company, which was organized and began business 
at the commencement of the following year. In addition to his position at the 
head of this corporation, Mr. Grimes is prominentl}' identified with leading business 
and financial enterprises in the city, and is President of the American National 
Bank, President of the Electric Light Association of Kansas City, a large owner of 
real estate in the business portion of the city, and in every way identified promin- 
ently with the progress and development of the city. Mr. M. A. Potts, the Vice- 
President of the company, came to this city upon its organization from St. Johns- 
bury, Vt., where he had for twenty years filled an important and prominent position 
in the Fairbanks Scale Company. In his hands the practical management of the 
business of the company is placed, and his long business experience, superior ex- 
ecutive abilitj'^and first class business attainments especially fit him for the position 
which he has filled from the inception of this corporation, and which has largely 
contributed to the rapid increase in the business and expansion of the trade of the 
company. Mr. J. J. Swofiford, the second Vice-President, is a resident of Kansas 
City, to which he removed during the present year, but is still a member of the suc- 
cessful retail dry goods firm of Swofford Brothers, at Shawnee, 111. Mr. George B. 
Mills, the Treasurer, is a gentleman of extensive business experience, and was 
formerly a member of the banking and brokerage house of Latham, Alexander & 
Co., of New York City. Thus officered by successful business men, and possessed 
of the advantages of a large capital, unsurpassed facilities and sagicious manage- 
ment, the position occupied by this great house may be regarded as the result of 
merit. 

The People's Investment and Building Company.— J. E.Truitt, 

President ; W. K. Greene, Secretary and Treasurer ; 704 Delaware street, Ground 
Floor. — This enterprise was organized and incorporated in May, 1887, with a paid up 
capital of $5,000, which was soon afterward increased to $25,000, paid up, and it has 
since done a very satisfactory business, financially and otherwise. It now keeps 
constantly in employ thirty to thirty-five energetic men, with an average weekly 
pay roll of about $500. It handles largely real estate in Kansas City, Mo., and the 
new consolidated city, Kansas City, Kas., and in making investments for Eastern 
capitalists^it also;; deals largely in addition property. This firm is prepared at all 



The Industries of Kansas City. 163 



times to build residences and business houses on time payments, arid is constantly 
exchanging property and selling on monthly payments. The members of this firm 
are justly regarded as authorities on all matters pertaining to real estate in Kansas 
Cit}' and its surroundings, and their experience in the business, and close and ac- 
curate knowledge of present and prospedlive values, renders the firm a most valu- 
able medium for the transaction of any business relating to real property. Mr. J. 
E. Truitt, President, formerly resided at St. Louis, where he was engaged in the 
contra<5ling and building business for nine years. He has been a resident of 
Kansas Citj- two years, and has been connected with the real estate biisiness, alto- 
gether, about eleven years. Mr. W. K. Green, Secretary and Treasurer, is a native 
of Illinois, has been a resident of Kansas fifteen j-ears, and has been in the real 
estate business two years. Both these gentlemen stand fully to the front in busi- 
ness circles, and have an enviable record^for fair and'honorable dealing throughout 
all their various transa<ftions. 

Owen Jewelry and Stationery; Company.— Louis H. Owen, Presi- 
dent; Stationers, Engravers and Jewelers; S12 Main Street; Wholesale "Warehouse, 
816 Walnut Street.— Mr. Owen, the President of this corporation, came to Kansas 
City in 1880, and in 1881 went to Denver, Col., and in partnership with Mr. Elgan, 
established a stationery and engraving business in that city under the firm name of 
Elgan & Owen. In 18S6 Mr. Owen returned to Kansas City, and established this 
business as a branch of that firm, afterward purchasing Mr. Elgan's interest, Mr. 
Elgan remaining in Denver in charge of the biisiness there, which is still jointly 
owned by Messrs. Elgan and Owen. On October 15, 1887, in consequence of the 
greatly expanded volume of the business of the Kansas City house, it was incorpor- 
ated with a capital stock of $50,000, Mr. Owen becoming President of the corpora- 
tion, still remaining at the head of the business and the practical and efficient 
manager of its affairs. The stock of the house is very large and valuable, embrac- 
ing the finest watches, a superior assortment of diamonds, fine stationery of every 
description and all goods pertaining to this line, and in addition the company does 
every description of steel and copper plate engraving in the finest style of those 
arts. The house not only enjoys a large local patronage at retail, but also does an 
extensive wholesale business, covering the entire West. The retail house is 
eligibly located at 812 Main street, where the goods carried in the stock are dis- 
played in large stipplj- and completely diversified assortment, while the wholesale 
warehouse is located at 816 Walnut street. Twelve clerks and assistants are em- 
ployed in the house, in addition to which traveling salesmen represent the firm on 
the road. A specialty is made of the engraving of wedding cards, business cards, 
visiting cards and all other kinds of fine work in the highest style of the art, and 
the productions of this establishment enjoy a merited celebrity for their great 
superiority and artistic merit. A thriving business is done, and the house, as a re- 
sult of the close and accurate attention paid by Mr. Owen to all the details of the 
business and his thoroughh- reliable methods of dealing, has secured a position in 
the favor of the trade and the public not surpassed by any other concern in its line 
in the country. 

Sweet Brothers. — Real Estate and Investments; Room 212, Alamo Build- 
ing, Northwest Corner of Delaware and Seventh Streets.^ — This firm was organized 
by Carlos E. and Arthur C. Sweet in March, 1887. Mr. Carlos E. Sweet had previous 
to that time been one of the partners of the firm of William B. Chamberlain & Co., 
real estate dealers, and one of the first firms to become interested in Randolph 
property. Both the members of the firm are natives of Nebraska, where their 
father was engaged in the banking business from 1857 until 1885, in which business 
both of these young men were reared, and from the end of their school days until 
1886 were actively engaged. The firm make a specialty of improved, income, busi- 
ness and manufacturing propert}-, and deal but very little in outside and residence 
addition property of the lower class. The}- also give their attention to mining and 
timber properties, and are largely interested therein, owning a number of silver 
mines in the Black Range in New Mexico, three of which are now producers, and 
also being interested in coal and lead properties in Missouri, which have been de- 
veloped suflBciently to insure a steady income. They also place money on first 
mortgages on improved property in Kansas City. They have been very successful 
in their investments^ since the commencement. They^ usually investf their own 



164 The Industries op Kansas City. 



money, and advise patrons to do the same, in property which is centrally located 
for improvement, but which has been overlooked by the bulk of investors. They 
are thus enabled to purchase at low figures and on better terms than if the property 
was being advertised by all agents. It was in this way they became interested in 
Randolph property. They were convinced that property within eight miles of the 
business center of a city of 150,000 people, and within a mile or so of the depot of 
four great trunk lines, was worth more than from $20 to $100 per acre, and that it 
could not remain long at those figures. They purchased as much as they could 
carry themselves and induced a number of their friends to do the same. They sold 
at greatly advanced figures within a short time, in some instances being enabled to 
sell at 100 per cent, profit on the total purchase before the expiration of the time 
allowed in which to close the purchase. Another of their customers purchased 150 
acres in the same locality, paying down to bind the bargain $500 on the contra6t, and 
disposed of 100 acres of the land for the amount he had bargained to pay for the 
whole 150 acres, before the delivery of the abstra6l on the property to himself. This 
man made over $15,000 by this one transaction in about ninety days, and on an invest- 
ment of only $500. They also were early investors in Independence property, and 
hold much ;property in which they have from 400 to 700 per cent, profit on their 
money invested. They are members of the Interstate Real Estate Exchange, and 
also the Merchants' and Manufacturers' Bureau, and have lately assisted in organ- 
izing several manufadluring companies in Kansas City and vicinity. They have a 
regular department given to this branch, and will be glad to talk with any one who 
wishes to organize a company to either manufadlure under a good patent or to de- 
velop mining or other property. Their offices are always open to visitors to the 
city, whether investors or otherwise, and they will take pleasure in answering any 
correspondence addressed to them with promptness and care. 

D. M. Osborne & Co. ^Kansas City Transfer Depot; State Line and St. 
lyouis Avenue, Kansas City; R. L,. Buchanan, Manager. — The headquarters of this 
important industry is located at Auburn, N. Y., where they have a plant that is 
fully equipped with every essential modern machine and appliance for the proper 
and expeditous execution of this work, which consists in the manufacture of har- 
vesting machinery. The officers of this companj' are the following gentlemen : 
Messrs. D. M. Osborne, President; J. H. Osborne, Secretary, and G. W. Allen, Treas- 
urer. Branch houses are located at Philadelphia, Pa.; Cleveland, O.; Chicago, 
111.; St. Ivouis, Mo.; Dallas, Tex.; Salt Lake City, U. T.; San Francisco, Cal.; Portland, 
Ore., and transfer depots in various parts of the countr}'. Among the latter the 
depot at Kansas City under Mr. Buchanan's management is decidedly the largest 
and most important in this line. It was established in 1883, by Mr. John Callahan, 
representing the firm. Mr. Buchanan took charge in 1885 and under his efficient 
management the business has prospered materially, the trade now aggregating 
upwards of one half million dollars annually and extending to the States of Kan- 
sas, Colorado, Missouri, and Indian Territory and constantly expanding. A consider- 
able business is also done in the transfer of orders for various other manufacturers, 
among which are The Oliver Chilled Plow Works and Fairbanks Wind Mills within 
the same trade territory. Mr. Buchanan has been a resident of this city about two 
years. He formerly resided in Ohio and previous to engaging in the management 
here was connected with the company's branch office in St. Louis, Mo. In all he 
has been in the employ of this great house upwards of five years. There are sev- 
eral men in the employ at this depot. The warehouse facilities are ample and com- 
plete with easy access to river and railroad transportation and a perfect system 
prevails in every department of this business. A deservedly great success has re- 
sulted from Mr. Buchanan's management up to this time and a continuance of 
prosperity for the future is assured as a result of the superior business tadl em- 
ployed in the direction of the affairs of this depot. 

Ed. E. McMechan. — Investment Broker, Real Estate and Loans; 552 
Main Street. — Prominent among the very heaviest and most successful real estate 
dealers and investment brokers of Kansas City is Mr. Ed. E. McMechan. He 
makes a specialty of investing Eastern capital, and his annual sales will average 
$i,ooo,ODO. He is a member of the Real Estate and Stock Exchange, afld has been 
conspicuously associated in commercial circles here since his establishment in 
business, in 1879. Among the larger 'and more important additions which have 



Thej Industries of Kansas City. 



165 



been platted by him might be mentioned : The Hutchinson Place, east of the city 
and north of Independence Avenue; Brightwood, adjoining the city on the north; 
Headwood, adjoining Westport on the south, and many others, Mr. McMechan is 
a native of St. Ivouis, and previous to his removal to Kansas City was engaged as a 
merchandise broker. He is an active, enterprising business man, and one who has 
gained many friends by his upright and honorable methods of dealing. 

Abernathy Furniture Company.— Manufa(5lurers and Wholesale 
Dealers in Fine Furniture and Jobbers in Undertaker's Supplies ; Office and Ware- 




house, 1501 to 1517 West Ninth street; Factory at Leavenworth, Kas.— This industry 
is an important and special feature of Western progress. It was founded in 1856 by 
Col. J. L. Abernathy in Leavenworth, Kas. Subsequently a depot was established 
in this city, with a view to a more expeditious disposition of the product of the 
Leavenworth fadlory on account of the superior facilities afforded for transporta- 
tion, as well as the rapid growth of Kansas City into metropolitan importance. The 
gentlemen constituting the firm are Messrs J. L. Abernathy, W. M. Abernathy, Wm. 
F. Jones, Alfred Benjamin and Frank L. Hall, all residents of this city except Col. 
J. L. Abernathy, who still resides at Leavenworth, Kas. The capital involved in 
this enterprise amounts to $300,000, and the volume of its trade upwards of 
$1,000,000 annually, the trade territory covered embracing Kansas, Nebraska and 
Colorado, and rapidly extending to adjacent States. A force ranging from 175 to 200 
employes is engaged, and the weekly pay-roll for laborers alone aggregates $1,100. 
The specialty of this house is fine grades of upholstered goods, which branch of 
their industry is carried on in this city at their premises on West Ninth street, and 
which are shown in the accompanying illustration. These premises have 200 feet 
front by a depth of 150 feet, four and five stories in height, with ample basement, 
the whole equipped with every modern appliance and convenience for the execution 
of the work, and the expeditious receipt and shipment of goods. The fadlorj' at 
Leavenworth is a substantial brick structure 100 x 100 feet, three stories high, also 



1 66 The Industries of EIansas City. 



completely equipped with all necessary plant and appliances for the manufa6lure 
of furniture. This company have business connedlions with several Eastern fac- 
tories in kindred lines, whose goods they handle on consignment orders direct to 
the purchasers in various parts of their trade territory. Col. J. L. Abernathy is 
originally from Indiana, came West in 1856 for the purpose of engaging in the fur- 
niture manufadlure. He is prominently connected with other enterprises in Kan- 
sas City and elsewhere, a Diredlor of the First National Bank of this city and other 
banking institutions in the State of Kansas. Mr. Wm. F. Jones is the factory man- 
ager, a gentlemen well adapted to the business by reason of his long experience. 
Mr. W. M. Abernathy, the son of Col. Abernathy, is the Cashier and financial man- 
ager, a young man eminently qualified for his responsible position. Mr. F. L. 
Hall is the assistant superintendent. He has been a resident of this city since 1879. 
This establishment has the reputation of being the oldest in its line West of the 
Mississippi river. It is one of the progressive industries of the West, and is con- 
ducted upon the most economical plan, its produdl being equal in merit to that of 
any Eastern fadlory. 

D. S. Gordon, Son & Co. — ^Meachandise Brokers and Commission 
Merchants ; 930-932 Mulberry Street. — Among the reputable firms that refle6l credit 
upon the business methods of our merchant community, one of the most prominent 
is that of D. S. Gordon, Son & Co., which had its inception in 1873, M:r. D. S. Gor- 
don being the originator of the enterprise, and subsequently taking his son Mr. G. 
M. Gordon and Mr. Howard E. Barden into partnership. The firm do a general 
merchandise brokerage and commission business amounting to upwards of $4,000,- 
ooo annually, with a steadily increasing volume of trade all through the States of 
Missouri, Kansas and adjacent territory. There are five assistants in the employ, 
three of whom represent the house in their trade territory. This establishment 
ranks as a pioneer in its line and the largest in the city. The senior, Mr. D. S. Gor- 
don, is a Kentuckian by birth, has been a resident of this city fifteen years, and was 
formerly in the wholesale grocery business in Ivoaisville, Ky. His son, Mr. G. M. Gor- 
don, has alwaj's been associated with his father either as clerk or partner since the in- 
ception of the present enterprise. Mr. Howard E. Barden is from Maine, has been a 
resident of Kansas City six years and has had extensive experience in commission and 
brokerage business. This concern has the reputation, well sustained by many j^ears 
of an honorable commercial record in the transa6tion of their business, with a suc- 
cess almost unparalelled in the annals of trade, the result of judicious management 
and the exercise of correct business methods in all their dealings. 

W. P. Overton & Co.— Dealers in Hard and Soft Coal; 429 Minnesota 
Avenue, Kansas City, Kas. — This business was established in 1S79 by Mr. W. P. 
Overton, who afterward organized the Wyandotte Coal Company, of which he was 
President, subsequently selling out his interest in that corporation and associating 
himself with Mr. N. J. Abbott, forming the present firm. They do a large and con- 
stantly growing business with the citizens of Kansas City, Kansas, and the sur- 
rounding country, carrying on hand at all times large stocks of all sizes and grades 
of hard and soft coal, and are also largely engaged as dealers in lime, cement, hair, 
plaster, hay, feed, etc., and they commend themselves to the favor and patronage of 
the community by the promptness and accuracy with which they fill all orders for 
every description of goods in their line. Mr. Overton, the senior member of the 
firm, is a native of Missouri, and has resided in Kansas City, Kas., since September, 
1855. He is a veteran of the Mexican War, and a citizen who is justly held in high 
esteem as a gentleman of superior business qualifications. He is largely interested 
in coal. and mining, being a stockholder in the Pittsburgh & Midway Coal and Min- 
ing Co. Mr. N. J. Abbott, the other member of the firm, has resided in Kansas 
City, Mo., for the past six years, and in addition to his interest in this business, is 
prominent in military circles, being Major of the Jackson County Militia. The firm 
is a thoroughly reliable one, and its business has steadily increased from its incep- 
tion to the presetft time. 

Stone & Van Wambeck. — Manufacturers of Soda Water, Champagne 
Cider, Etc.; 2212 North Second Street. — It is fulfilling the prime object of this 
volume to record the history of successful houses, and among these the firm of 
Stone & Van Wambeck may be fairly classed. They have attained an enviable 



\ 



The Industries of Kansas City. 167 



position in the business circles of this city by their upright, fair dealing in the 
purest quality of goods and at prices low as the lowest. Their factor}^ located at 2212 
North Second street, is a model of its kind and thoroughlj- equipped with every es- 
sential machine and convenience. The annual sales amount to $50,000, and the ca- 
pacity to produce is equal to 46,000 bottles per season. The factory was established in 
1883, by Clark & Co., and succeeded by the present proprietors April 12, 1887. The ma- 
chinery in use is from the celebratedworksof John Matthews, New York. The build- 
ing is two stories high, 25x90 feet in dimensions, with railroad switches passing the 
doors to facilitate receipts and shipments, Mr. D. Stone has resided here for twenty- 
two years. He is a native of Ohio and was formerly a coal dealer, and prior to that 
time in the mercantile business in this city. Mr. H. F. Van Wambeck is a native of 
Illinois, but has resided in Kansas City for eight years. He was formerly the 
trusted traveling salesman for Corle & Son, and both possess that energy and 
diligence characteristic of the public spirited city of which they are worthy repre- 
sentatives. Their house is among the very largest of the line west of Chicago. 

Osborne & Pitrat. — Dealers in Books, Stationery and Wall Paper; 819 
Main Street. — This mercantile industry was organized and established by the 
present firm in 1881, and has gradually increased in importance until it now enjoys 
a popularity second to none in the city. Among its varied stock will be found a 
full line of miscellaneous and gift books, wall paper, window shades, blank books, 
albums, architects' supplies, and fine stationery. The premises occupied by this 
firm embrace three stories, 22x130 feet, and the stock carried includes all articles 
required by the trade in all its branches. In stationery the assortment is complete 
in every particular, including commercial and fancy stationery of all kinds, full 
lines of blank books, all office requsites, and stationers' sundries of every descrip- 
tion. Competent and polite salesmen are employed, and the proprietors give their 
undivided attention to the business. With ample resources and unsurpassed facili- 
ties which enable them to supply everything in their line in a prompt and satis- 
factory manner, this house will continue to grow in popular favor and is destined to 
success with scarcely a precedent in this branch of mercantile industry. Mr. Os- 
borne is a native of Terre Haute, Ind. Moving to Kansas, in 1865, he settled in 
Garnett, where he entered in the book and stationery business. He has resided in 
Kansas City since 187S, where he has been verj' successful in his present avocation, 
and has won for himself many warm friends and admirers. Mr. Pitrat is a native 
of West Virginia, came to Kansas City in 1880, and is now reaping the rewards of 
his industry and perseverance, surrounded by a host of friends. 

Miller & Tileston. — Real Estate and Fire Insurance Agency; 605 Delaware 
Street. — This firm, the individual members of which are Messrs. Hugh Miller and 
H. M. Tileston, was organized for business June ist., 1886. The services of Mr. W. 
W. Horner were secured in the conduct of the department of real estate, for which 
he is eminently qualified by reason of his long experience and business sagacity. 
Mr. Hugh Miller is a Missourian, native of Clay County and becaine a resident of 
Kansas City about eight years ago, engaging in mercantile pursuits mainly. He is 
well and favorably known in business and social circles throughout the city and 
Western Missouri. Mr. H. M. Tileston is from the old Bay State and is a native of 
Boston, and has been variously occupied from early youth in mercantile pursuits. 
Endowed with natural business tendencies and schooled through long and early ex- 
perience, his successful business career is assured. He has been a resident of Kan- 
sas City since 1881, and is acknowledged in commercial circles as one of the most 
efficient and reliable financiers of this city. This young and enterprising firm holds 
a prominent and leading position among the substantial real estate firms of Kansas 
City. Conspicious among its business transactions since the organization, we note 
that the\- have platted and filed for record December, 1886, a suburl) of Kansas City 
known as Randolph City, of which they are sole proprietors and which is rapidly 
developing into an important manufacturing distridl. It is situated five miles north- 
east of the Jundlion on Main and Delaware streets and the business center of Kansas 
City. It is also eligibly located on the Missouri river just below the Chicago, Mil- 
waukee and St. Paul railroad bridge, which cost $1,200,000. Several large man- 
ufaAurers have already located at this point and four important trunk lines run 
parallel through it. Randolph is also the terminus of the Wabash, St. Louis and 
Pacific Railroad, where all this company's round houses, switch yards and repair 



1 68 The Industries of Kansas City. 



shops are being construdled. Abundance of coal and pure spring water is here 
found. A three foot stratum of beautiful marble underlays the surface a few feet. 
These are among the few natural advantages of this important suburb of the great 
Midland City. This firm put this valuable property upon the market in January', 
1887, since which time they have sold choice building lots aggregating upwards of 
$130,000 and upon which the purchasers may now realize a handsome profit if they 
choose to sell. These gentlemen are also large stock holders in the Randolph Coal 
Co., which is incorporated with a capital stock of $100,000 and is an enterprise that 
promises ver}- large returns on investments. The firm also do a very extensive 
business in the sales of residence and business property within Kansas City proper 
of which they still hold desirable bargains, offering purchasers the very best in- 
ducements. As to insurance, in this department of their business, the firm re- 
present such companies as the North British and Mercantile, Lancashire, Phcenix, 
Sun Fire and a score of other equally reliable companies which bespeak their faci- 
lities in this direction. 

Peet Brothers & Co.— Manufacturers of Laundry and Toliet Soaps ; Of- 
fice, 301 Delaware Street; Factor}- loi to 11 1 West Levee. — The above firm con- 
ducts one oJ Kansas City's leading industries and one that has a well founded reputa- 
tion all through the trade territory embracing Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Texas, 
Indian Territory, New Mexico, Colorado and Iowa. Messrs Robert and Wni. Peet 
established this extensive soap manufactory in 1872. The capital invested is $75,000 
and the general arrangement and system observed is a model one in every particular. 
From twenty-five to thirty men are in the employ of the house on an average pa}- roll 
of from $1,400 to $1,500 monthly, while four traveling salesmen represent the interests 
of the house throughout the business territory above mentioned. The annual 
business reaches between $160,000 and $200,000 and the capacity to manufadlure is 
300,000 pounds monthly, the special grades being several superior and widely 
famous laundry soaps, leading among which are the unexcelled " Ruby" and 
" Saxon " brands. Mr. Robert Peet has had twenty-five years' practical experience 
in the manufacfture of soap and is thoroughly informed in every important feature of 
the art. Mr. \Vm. Peet, in addition to his interest in this firm, is also conne6led with 
the Kansas City Varnish Company, a prosperous concern of this city. The Cocoa 
Oil Soaps manufadlured by Peet Brothers are in demand by dealers all over the 
country. 

Albion P. Pease. — Real Estate; Room 509, Nelson Building, Corner of 
Main Street and Missouri Avenue. — This firm succeeds to Pease, Leach & Co., of 
which Messrs. Albion P. Pease and E. O. Leach were the original members, and 
which was dissolved January 2, 1888, Mr. Pease continuing the business. The firm 
had been actively engaged in business in other lines, Mr. Pease having been 
connected with the Kansas City Storage and Commission Co. Mr. Leach is 
from Boston, where he had previously been in the leather business. Since 
embarking in the present enterprise, this firm has secured a generous share of the 
business in real estate transadlions and carried on all the departments of the busi- 
ness in a manner satisfa6lory to its clients and in every respect efficient. Mr. Pease 
is prepared to buy and sell or exchange city and suburban properties and enjoys 
connections which enable him to dispose of city property to the greatest advantage 
and as a consequence he is largely patronized and has at all times on hand and for 
sale a number of superior business and residence lots. Mr. Pease has had the 
advantage of a large experience as to the location and value of lands in this section 
by reason of the excellent opportunities off"ered him through his ofiicial position as 
United States marshal for this distridl for a number of years. He is at present Sec- 
retary of the Kansas City Fruit and Produce Exchange, one of the most important 
commercial organizations of the city. Closely attending to every detail of his own 
business and guarding the interests of his clients with the umost fidelity, besides 
performing such other duties as devolve upon him, his success is assured and a des- 
ervedly bright business career awaits him in the future. 

S. A. Metzner. — Stove Repairs of Every Description; 511 Bluff Street. — A 
stove repairer is a useful acquisition to a housekeeping community and where such 
a business is well advertised it is certain to be well patronized. Hundreds of stoves 
with but slight defedls are discarded every year, in every city in the United States, 



The Industries of Kansas City. 



169 



because the owners do not know where to have them repaired and cannot use them 
as they are. The consequence is a large loss to the community and increased profits 
to the stove dealers and manufacturers. The expert stove repairer saves the house- 
wife or cook a great deal of worry and housekeepers a great deal of unnecessary 
outlay by making a slightly damaged stove as good as new at but a trifling cost. 
Mr. Metzner opened up his valuable business in 1S81 at 1219 West Ninth Street, but 
moved to his present qiiarters in 1SS3. His business is not confined to Kansas City 
alone but the principal trade conies to him from all over the country including 
Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Indian Territory, etc. 
He carries constantly a full stock of stove repairs of ever}' description and his 
business occupies two floors of a building 25x100 feet. Mr. Metzner is from Illinois 
and has been seven years in Kansas City. His house is deserving of the largest 
public patronage. 



Bartberger & Co. — Wood and Photo-Zinc 
Southeast Corner of Fourth and Wvandotte Streets. 




iTELephONe2IOH- 



Engravers and Designers ; 
-Among the recently estab- 
lished art industries of Kan- 
sas Cit}', one of leading im- 
portance is that one founded 
at the commencement of 
1887, by Messrs. E. G. Bart- 
berger and C. V. Nevins, 
who are highly skilled en- 
gravers and designers. Their 
former location was in Cen- 
tral Building, at the corner 
of Tenth and Main streets, 
but quite recenth' they re- 
moved to their present eligi- 
ble quarters at the southeast 
corner of Fourth and Wyan- 
dotte streets. This firm em- 
ploy three skilled artificers. 
This industry consists in 
designing and engraving on 
wood and photo-zinc engrav- 
ing, a new and excellent pro- 
cess of transfering photographic designs to zinc. This work is done by these gen- 
tlemen in the highest style of the art, all their work giving perfedl satisfa6lion to 
those desiring such service. This work is artisticall}- executed in landscapes, 
buildings, machinery, portraits, furniture, stoves, monograms, glassware, cards, 
color-labels, posters, maps, etc., catalogue engraving being their specialt}-. Photo- 
zinc engraving is also well adapted for newspaper illustration, head-lines, labels, 
etc., either plain or in colors, and proves very acceptable, being also cheaper 
than wood engraving. Mr. Bartberger is from Pittsburgh, Pa., where he was engaged 
in similar business. His experience in this line covers a period of fifteen years. 
Mr. Ne%ans, his associate, is also an adept at the business. The premises occupied 
are ample for all pradlical purposes, being 25 x 60 in area, with an elegant display 
of their handiwork tastefull}' exhibited. The trade of this firm extends to the city 
and adjacent territory, and is constantly on the increase. 

E. Schenkert. — Practical Furrier; Fine Furs, Seal Skin Garments, Caps 
and Trimmings; 11 19 Main Street. — The fur trade is one of the most important 
enterprises in the country-, both because of the value of the furs themselves and the 
skillful work required to make them into the handsomest garment worn by the 
human race. It is a trade for which a man requires a special and thorough training, 
and herein this establishment stands second to none, the proprietor himself being 
an expert, not only in the qualities and values of furs, but also in their manufacfture. 
He established this business in 0<5lober, 1886, and now employs twenty-five oper- 
atives and skillful fur dressers, and has a large and highly satisfadlory trade, ex- 
tending over the city and the States of Missouri and Kansas. His business occupies 
two stories of a building 25 x 150 feet, and he carries a full and complete stock both 
of furs and skins and manufadlured goods, all of which are of the finest, sele<5led 



lyo The Industries of Kansas City. 



furs and the most perfeA make. Mr. Schenkert is a native of German}^ and came 
to America in 1880 via New York, where he remained three years with Stearns 
& Co. From that city he went to San Francisco and engaged in the fur business 
there. His next and last move was to this city, where he has been since July, 1886, 
and to which he has added a flourishing business and a valuable business man. 

The North & Ewart Lumber Company. — Manufadturers and Exclu- 
sively Wholesale Dealers in Yellow Pine ; Mills and Branch Office, Sargent, Mo. ; 
Main Office, 119 West Eighth Street, Kansas City, Mo. — The remarkable annual 
increase in the consumptioa of the products of the Southern pineries entitles the 
manufadlurer of j^ellow pine to a prominent position among the important indus- 
tries that are centering in Kansas City. The above named company is one of the 
largest manufadlurers of Southern pine. Their new steam gang siw mill, just 
completed at Sargent, Mo., with a daily capacity of 80,000 feet, besides pickets and 
lath; their new steam dry kiln, and their extensive planing mill, give them facili- 
ties unsurpassed anj-where. North or South, for the rapid and perledt manufadture 
of ever}' description of stock required by the trade. They are prepared to furnish 
anything and everything that lumbermen can use in yellow pine. With the increase 
of mills throughout the South, having the latest improved machinery in use, the 
Southern produdt must continue to encroach upon the territory of the Northern 
mills, and before long supersede them altogether throughout the Southwest. This 
company maintain their principal office in Kansas City as the most convenient 
center for communication with their patrons, and the supervision of the distribu- 
tion and sale of the output of their mills. Their patronage has increased steadily 
since their organization, and they now command a trade which strains their fullest 
capacit}- to supply. This success has been fully merited by the superior standard 
of grading which they have maintained, and the prompt and liberal treatment of 
their patrons which thej' have carefully observed 

W. H. Jones & Co. — Investors of Capital, Loans and Rent Collectors; 
Room 200, Alamo Building, Corner Seventli and Delaware Streets. — This business 
was established in 1884 bj' the present firm. Their trade is principally located in 
Missouri and Kansas, and is constantly increasing, amounting during the past year 
to over $1,000,000. This firm handles considerable Eastern capital, and is at present 
making large investments for non-residents. The established reputation of this 
firm has secured for them an extensive and profitable trade and in all its branches 
its business is thriving and prosperous, their long and intimate acquaintance with 
real estate movements in the city and the surrounding country having given them 
a close and accurate knowledge of values. Mr. W. H. Jones is a native of New 
York, and has been a resident of Kansas City five years. He formerly invested in 
the mercantile business in this city, and is now largely interested in street rail- 
roads. The extensive trade at present of this firm gives the strongest possible 
evidence of its high merit and the promptness and reliability of its business 
methods. 

The Prudential Insurance Company.— John F. Dryden, President; 
Leslie D. Ward, Vice-President; Horace Ailing, Second Vice-President; Hon. 
Henry J. Yates, Treasurer; Edgar B. Ward, Counsel; Edward S. Johnson, Secre- 
tary; Home Office, Newark, N. J.; Kansas City Branch Office, 71 Hall Building, 
Ninth and Walnut Streets ; Ben Hill, Manager. — This enterprise was incorporated 
January, 1876, the above named officers now having the direction of its affaits. As 
its name implies, this company was founded upon wise, prudent and conservative 
principles. Its success is and has been deservedly great, owing to the consummate 
skill and honorable methods employed in the conduct of its affairs on the part of 
the officers and managers. A brief statement of the business done up to January 
I, 1888, is herewith presented in support of the honorable record of this company 
and its substantial condition with reference to policy holders. Number of policies 
issued, 495,998; total death claims paid up to that date, $2,778,243.02; liabilities, 
$1,480,291.00; assets, $1 967,369.13, with no death claims due or unpaid. The present 
and preceding years will show a considerable increase in the volume of business, 
with a decided improvement in its financial standing generally. The aims of this 
association are to provide the industrial classes an easy method of insurance 
whereby the humblest and most needy, as well as those who are more favored, may 



a HE Industries -op Kansas City. 171 



be accommodated through this means. The company publishes and distributes 
gratuitously comprehensive circulars and illustrated pamphlets from time to time, 
that set forth in an intelligible manner the workings of the company in every 
phase of the business. In short, a more creditable enterprise in the insurance line 
can not be conceived to exist, either in this or any other land. Mr. Ben Hill, the 
efficient and gentlemanly manager of this division of the company's business, has 
been a resident of Kansas City since Februarj-, 1887. He had ably represented this 
company at Baltimore, Md., and Washington, D. C, prior to taking charge of the 
management at this point. He is thoroughly conversant with every detail of the 
insurance business, and a creditable representative of the company's active and 
intelligent corps of assistants. 

McCoy & Underwood. — Live Stock Commission Merchants; Room 32, 
Stock Exchange Building. — Establised in 188 1, and one of the largest and most 
ably conducted live stock commission houses in the Stock Exchange, is the popu- 
lar firm of McCoy & Underwood. This house, from the prestige it holds among 
similar concerns, forming the faAors of the live stock industry, is worthy of a 
prominent place in a work endeavoring to set forth and publish the Industries 
OF Kansas City. The appointments of this house and facilities for the care and 
sale of live stock, together with its superior corps of clerks and assistants, are 
unequalled in the extreme limits of the city, while its trade area covers the States 
of Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska, Indian Territory, Texas and New Mexico, 
amounting to the handsome total of three and one-half million of dollars annually. 
The senior member of the firm. Colonel A. J. McCoy, is a fitting representative of 
his native "Green Mountain State," having been born in Lyndon, Caledonia 
County, and early removing to Wisconsin, and spending some twenty years of 
adtive life in that State. Enlisting at his countrj^'s call in May, 1861, he served 
with distinction through the whole service, being upon General W. T. Sherman's 
staff at the siege of Port Hudson, and filling other high and honorable positions. 
Immigrating to Kansas in 1875, he purchased an elegant thousand acre stock farm on 
Sugar Creek, Lynn County, Kansas, which is now under the management of one 
of his sons. Removing to Kansas City in 1881, he at once assumed a prominent 
position, and was not long since chosen chairman of an important delegation, 
with the obje6t of adopting measures affedting the advancement of the live stock 
interests of the great West. Mr. D. S. Underwood, the junior member of the firm, 
is a native of New York, passing a portion of his life in the railroad business, prior 
to his removal to this city in 1881 The house is ably supported by its salesmen, 
Messrs. Keeny, Mills and Park, and F. W. and F. B. McCoy as the efficient book- 
keepers, and the prospecfls of the house are bright for a steady expansion of pros- 
perity. 

Keystone Implement Company. — Wholesale Dealers in Agricultural 
Implements, Wagons, Buggies, Carriages, etc.; 1317, 1319 and 1321 West Thirteenth 
Street. — This important industry had its inception under the auspices of the Key- 
stone Manufa(5turing Co., of Sterling, 111., as a branch house. In 1887 a sepa- 
rate and distin6l company was organized and duly incorporated under the present 
name with Messrs. G. S. Trac}' as President, Thomas A. Gait, Vice-President, and J. 
M. Patterson, Secretary and Treasurer, with a capital stock of |ioo,ooo. There are 
fifteen men in the employ, four of whom represent the interests of the company 
in their trade territory, which embraces the whole of Missouri and Kansas. The 
annual business of this enterprising concern amounts to upwards of one quarter 
of a million dollars, and is rapidly increasing in volume from year to year. The 
officers of this company are all identified and directly interested in the Keystone 
Manufadturing Co., of Sterling, 111., where Mr. G. S. Tracy, the President of this 
company, resides. Mr. Thomas A. Gait is also a resident of Sterling, 111. Mr. Pat- 
terson has been a resident of Kansas City ten years, and has charge of the man- 
agement of the business here. These are all pracftical and enterprising business 
men of the Eastern type. Mr. Tracy is from Massachusetts, and Messrs. Gait and 
Patterson are Pennsylvanians. Branch houses of this great industry are also 
located at St. Louis, Mo., Council Bluffs, la., and Columbus, O., and supply depots 
are established at various parts of the United States. A general line of the best 
makes of agricultural implements and supplies is dealt in at wholesale, also 
superior grades and the most approved styles of wagons, buggies, carriages, etc. 



172 The Industries op Kansas City. 



The premises occupied for business purposes are eligibly located at Nos. 1317 to 
132 1 West Thirteenth Street, and consist of a substantial four-story and basement 
brick building, completely equipped with every essential modern appliance and con- 
venience for the proper conducft of the business, including switch tracks, elevators, 
trucks, etc. A perfect system prevails all through the establishment, Mr. J. M. Pat- 
terson giving his personal attention to every detail of the business. His success is 
due to care and consummate skill in the diredtion of the affairs of the company, and 
the exercise of honorable business methods with his numerous patronage. 

Conover Brothers. — Manufa6turers of Grand and Upright Piano Fortes; 
Wholesale Dealers in the Steinway, Conover and Fischer Pianos and Packard 
Orchestral Organs ; Office and Salerooms, 613 Main Street. — The brothers, George 
H. and J. Frank Conover, established this grand enterprise in Kansas City in 1870. 
They handle principally the instruments manufadlured by the Conover Brothers 
Co., of New York, which are world renowned for purity of tone and singular del- 
icacy of acStion. These pianos, both in the grand and upright st5'les, have already 
become the favorites among the eminent musicians, and count among their 
admirers Mme. Rive-King, Lillian Nordica, Clara E. Colby, Dr. Penfield, Anton 
Strelezki, Robert Goldbeck and a host of others equally noteworthy in the musical 
field. They also deal extensively in other approved instruments — in order to 
meet the growing demand in the West for these standard pianos, such as the Stein- 
way and Fischer Pianos and Packard Organs. The trade from this point embraces 
the States of Missouri and Kansas and is very large, aggregating upward of $200,- 
000 annually. The capacitj^ of the New York factory, at 400 and 402 West Four- 
teenth Street, is fifteen pianos per week. The company was recently incorporated 
with a capital of $200,000, and their trade extends all over the United States. A 
branch house was established at Wichita, Kan., in order to facilitate business from 
this point. The brothers are New Yorkers, and were formerly engaged in the 
musical instrument business at Clarksville, Tenn. They subsequently founded the 
enterprise in Kansas City in 1870 and in New York City in 1880, which was, as 
already noted, incorporated under the name of Conover Brothers Co. The success 
of this enterprise is due to consummate skill in the profession of music, supple- 
mented by natural musical genius, resulting in the application of new and patented 
methods in the manufadture of pianos on the part of these gentlemen, and the 
care and business sagacity emploj-ed in the condudt of their affairs. 

W. C . Jones & Co.— Dealers in Lumber, Lath, Shingles, Etc.; Ofl&ce, 
Room 20, National Block, Corner of Ninth and Main Streets. — This industry was 
established about five years ago, by Mr. W. C. Jones, senior member of the present 
firm, and when Mr. T. H. Howarth became connedled with the house it obtained its 
present firm name. To-day it is one of the most prominent establishments in its 
line in Kansas City. It has been favored with a large business from its incipiency, 
each year enlarging its capacity until it now ranks among the most notable 
concerns in this section; its trade being principally located throughout Missouri, 
Kansas and Nebiaska, occasionally receiving large orders from Texas and Colorado. 
It deals in all species and variety of lumber for building purposes, laths, shingles 
and other lumber produdls, and is prepared to furnish all material for mill work. 
This firm has a praftical knowledge of all matters pertaining to the business of all 
kinds of material for building purposes, and is every way trustworty. They deal 
only in car lots of lumber, and are prepared to furnish any amount at shortest notice. 
Mr. W. C. Jones was formerly a resident of Wisconsin, but has resided in Kansas 
City about six years. As regards the standing of the firm in business circles, there 
can be no question, and the community may well be proud of an institution which 
so fosters and encourages the growth of the city. 

John H. Krull.— Mej-chant Tailor; no and 112 West Fifth Street.— This 
essentially important industry is one of the interesting features of a progressive 
community, as it caters to refined taste in attire, as well as gentlemanly demeanor 
in the individual. The subjeA of this sketch, Mr. John H. Krull, established him- 
self in this industry here some ten years ago. He is originally from New York 
City, but more recently was engaged in business in Dayton, Ohio. He has had 
many years of valuable experience in his present occupation, and is an adept in 
cutting and fitting garments in the highest style of the tailor's art. Three com- 



The Industries of Kansas City. 



173 



petent cutters are in the employ. The putting together and trimming is done by 
experienced journeymen tailors outside of his premises, but always carefully 
inspected by Mr. Krull in person. His work always gives perfedl satisfadttion, 
resulting in a steadily increasing patronage. The trade extends to customers in 
Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Dakota and Wyoming, and 
occasionally receiving orders from the far East, where his skill and reputation is 
known and appreciated. Mr. Krull imports extensively his finer grades of cloths 
and material, and constantly carries a largely diversified stock of fine domestic 
and foreign piece goods, from which the most fastidious may make seledlions. He 
occupies the first floor of an elegant three-story building at 106 — 108 West Fifth 
street, in dimensions 50x100 feet, well lighted, where his goods are tastefully dis- 
played for inspecSlion. His prices are reasonable and his methods are honorable. 
The success he has achieved is well deserved. 

Inter-State Lumber Company. — F. C. Joceljai, President; M. R. 
Grant, Vice-President; G. B. Shaw, Secretary and Treasurer; Wholesale Dealers in 




Lumber ; Office and Yards, Corner of Seventeenth and Wyoming Streets. — -These 
lumber yards cover five and one-half acres, being the most extensive in the city. 
They were established in 1876, by G. B. Shaw & Co., who were in turn succeeded by 
the Inter-State Lumber Co., May 2, 1887. A capital stock of $1,000,000 is invested 
in the enterprise, and in its various manipulations employment is given to forty 
men, with an average weekly paj'-roll of seven hundred dollars. The annual sales 
of this mammoth establishment reach $1,000,000, with a trade covering the States of 
Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. The principal manufactured goods, sold by the 
concern, consist of sash, doors and blinds, for which there is an increasing demand. 
They also handle white and yellow pine lumber of all kinds. Mr. F. C. Joceljai is a 
gentleman of wide experience in different kinds of business, and has resided in 
Chicago during the last five years. Mr. M. R. Grant is a native of the Empire State, 
and has been a resident of Kansas Cit}- for a few months. Mr. G. B. Shaw is a na- 
tive of New York, residing at present in Chicago. As an example of the growing 
industries of Kansas City, this may be counted in the lead. Sound judgment and 
intelligent methods of management, combined with the utmost financial stability, 
and an accurate knowledge of the requirements of the trade, are prominent among 
the elements that have contributed to give this house its solid reputation and a 
steady expansion of trade from year to year. 

Henry C. Kumpf & Son. — Fire Insurance; Nelson Building, Rooms 
204 and 205; Telephone 979. — This old and reliable insurance agenc}- was estab- 
lished eleven years ago by Mr. Henr}- C. Kumpf, associated with his son Mr. George 
Kumpf They represent the following substantial fire companies, for which they 
are sole agents in this city: Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company; 
Scottish Union and National, of Edinburg; Orieat, of Hartford; Fireman's Fund, 
of San Francisco ; Buffalo German, of Buffalo, N. Y., Amazon of Cincinnati, O., 
Fire Insurance Association, of London ; and in cvclone insurance the Home, of 



174 TH.-E; Industries of Kansas City. 



New York ; all of which are stridlly first-class and prompt paying corporations. 
Their honorable representatives in Kansas City are in an eminent degree worthy of 
the high esteem in which they are held in commercial, as well as social circles. Mr. 
Henry C. Kumpf is a German by birth and education. He came to America, in 1849, 
landing at the city of New Orleans, from which city he came to St. Louis, where he 
engaged for a time in the ordinary avocations of life, until the breaking out of the 
civil war, when he engaged in the service of the Government in the capacity of 
clerk at the St. Louis U. S. Arsenal ; serving the Government with that fidelity 
that had always charadlerized his career from early manhood. In 1865 the subject 
of this sketch came to Kansas City, where his introdu6lion to public notice was 
through his election to office as a member of the School Board, and the first 
Secretary of that honorable body. His subsequent career as a public spirited 
citizen is too well known for further comment. He is now, for the second term, 
serving as Mayor of the Gate City, the highest honor that our citizens can confer 
upon a public servant, and a well merited tribute paid to his high-minded integrity 
and exceptionall)' useful public career. Mr. Kumpf is largely interested in real 
estate, and has invariably taken a leading interest in the material progress and 
commercial development of the city of his adoption. His son and associate in 
business, Mr. George Kumpf, is an enterprising young business man, a worthy 
scion of his honored sire. He is the adlive member of the firm, and is also recog- 
nized as a business man of more than ordinary ability in this community. 

Kansas City Gravel Company.— W. T. Little, Manager and Proprie- 
tor; Office, 606 Walnut Street. — This business has been in operation for one year 
under the management of Mr. Little. He makes gravel for walks, driveways, roof- 
ing and concrete a specialty, and can always supply quantities of the best quality 
of coarse, sharp, bank sand. His banks are only fifteen minutes from the city on 
the Kansas Southern Railroad. He ships an average of ten cars per day, and the 
business is constantly increasing. He has an admirable and costly outfit of 
machinery and appliances for making his sand and gravel the choicest on the 
market. His tramways alone cost nearly $13,000, and he has all kinds of screens of 
the latest improved patterns. His equipment is so complete that he can turn out 
fifteen cars per day. His trade is principally with Kansas City, but he ships to 
Lawrence, Ottawa, Atchison, Topeka and other adjacent towns. He has twenty-six 
miles of street to build in Kansas Cit}- alone. He has a gravel field of forty-four 
acres, thirty-three to sixty-four feet in depth and beneath this gravel is a strata of 
mould sand, pure, white and as fine as emery. The gravel and sand are carefully 
screened and sold by grade. This valuable bank is a glazier and is about the only 
one in this section of the country. Mr. Little has been here tM^enty-one years, 
fifteen of which he has spent in the real estate business, in which he still does 
some business, but it is fortunate for a city of the needs of this one that he has 
turned his capital and business abilities to an industry that is so essential to the 
city's growth. 

Driggs Manufacturing Company. — T. C. Driggs, President; S. M. 
Stone, Vice-President; R. E. Stone, Secretary and Treasurer; Manufadlurers of 
Jeans Pants, Lined Duck Clothing, Overalls, Over Jackets and Cheviot Shirts; 
Fadlory, 74 Ewing Street. — The corporation styled the Driggs Manufadluring Co. 
was established by T. C. Driggs in 1882, and changed to the present designation in 
1884, since which time it has steadily gained in popularit)- and reputation, until it 
has become the largest establishment of its kind in the city. The plant consists of 
a two story and basement brick building, 50x120 feet in dimensions, internally fur- 
nished with ever}' available facility for the rapid prosecution of the work, including 
two hundred power sewing machines, and other appliances. One hundred and 
sixty persons are emploj-ed about the concern, requiring a monthly pay roll of 
f4,ooo, and an annual business of a quarter of a million of dollars is transadled. 
The trade is at present principally in Kansas and Missouri, but is rapidly extending 
outward into other sedlions of the great West. In special lines the manufadlure of 
flannel underwear, cheviot shirts and jeans pants are the principal. President 
Driggs, a native Vermonter, was earlj' engaged in the lumber business, though a 
resident of Kansas City seventeen years, and also interested in a completely stocked 
drj' goods store at 1825 West Sixth street. Vice-President Stone was formerly of 
Hartford, Conn., and engaged in the novelty business, and also purchaser for the dry 



The Industries of Kansas City. 175 



goods house of W. B. Grimes & Co. He has been a resident of this city since 1877. 
R. E. Stone is a native Connetlicut Yankee, and has been a resident of Kansas City 
seven years, three of which were in the emplo}- ol the W. B. Grimes Co. The com- 
pany intends soon to increase its capital stock and enlarge its business. 

H. L. Johnson & Co. — Real Estate Investments ; Delaware and Seventh 
Streets. — This leading house in real estate investments, having offices at the cor- 
ner of Delaware and Seventh streets, Kansas City, is composed of Mr. H. L. 
Johnson and Mr. John E. Lord, both well known in the Eastern States and particu- 
larly in New York, having former!}- been law partners of the late Scott Lord. Mr. 
Johnson has been in the real estate business in Kansas Cit}^ for more than eight 
years, and ha^been remarkably successful in his investments, both for his customers 
and himself, his books showing absolutely no losses, and, on the contrary-, gains 
ranging from 100 per cent, upward. Mr Lord has been indirectly interested in the 
business for about three years past, and has lately made Kansas Citv his permanent 
place of residence. While fully abreast with the times and always on the alert for 
bargains in good real estate, Messrs. H. L. Johnson & Co. have the reputation of 
being careful and conservative men, and can invest sums from f 1,000 to $100,000 and 
upward in improved business and rental property here, or in unimproved property 
both in Kansas City and the surrounding country. Capitalists in any part of 
the country seeking information concerning Kansas City should write" to H. L. 
Johnson & Co. 

F. B. Lewis. — Dealer in Leather and Findings; 717 Delaware Street. — Mr. 
Lewis, who is a native of New York City, came to Kansas City in 1880, and estab- 
lished this business. He has had sixteen years' experience in this department of 
industry, and is well known to, and popular with, the trade throughout the country. 
His warehouse, which is located at 717 Delaware street, is commodious and com- 
pletely stocked with full lines of leather of every description, findings and boot 
and shoe makers' supplies, carefully seleAed with special reference to the needs 
of the trade in this section, and the business from its inception to the present time 
has steadily increased and is now very large, covering the States of Colorado, Kan- 
sas, Missouri, Nebraska and Texas and the Territory of New Mexico, and the 
promptness and accuracy with which all orders are filled and the uniform relia- 
bility of his methods of dealing have secured for Mr. Lewis a prominent place 
among the leading establishments in the line in the West. He maintains the most 
favorable relations with the leading manufacturers, and is thereby enabled to offer 
superior inducements both in quality and price to the trade. 

J. W. Jenkins & Son.— Dealers in Musical Instruments and All Their 
Accompaniments; 615 Main Street. — This house was established in 1879 by the 
senior member of the present firm, the junior member being admitted in 18S5. In 
the extensive assortment of wares in this house, can be found every imaginable 
musical instrument, together with a large assortment of sheet music, embracing 
all the ver}' latest publications. They make a specialty of the Weber and Decker 
Brothers pianos, as also the Packard organs, bfeing the sole agents in Kansas City 
for these favorite instrumenrs. They have eleven employes engaged at present, 
some of whom are the most scientific musicians in the city. The trade of this 
house is principally local, although their mail orders are very extensive, and 
embrace the entire Western country. Mr. J. W. Jenkins is a native of Syracuse, 
N. Y., and was for fifteen years traveling agent for W. W. Kimball, of Chicago. He 
came to this city in 1876, and became connected as partner, with the firm of A. C. 
MafFatt & Co. Being a practical musician, he is thoroughh- conversant with the 
wants of the public in this particular branch of merchandise, and this is the only 
house in Kansas City that carries every article in the musical line.''- 

The Irvyin & Eaton Crockery Company.— L. E. Irwin, President; 
J. F. Eaton, Vice-President; Joseph R. Irwin, Secretary; Importers of Queensware, 
China and Glassware, Pocket aud Table Cutlery, Lamps, Chandeliers and Plated 
Ware ; 612 Delaware Street. — This business was originally established in 1881 by the 
firm of Irwin & Eaton, who were succeeded in 1883 by the present corporation, with 
a paid up capital stock of $50,000. The business has steadily expanded in its vol- 
ume and the amount of territory covered from its inception to the present time, 



176 Thk Industries of Kansas City. 



and is now very large, covering the States of Missouri, Kansas and Colorado and 
the Indian Territory. The premises occupied by the wholesale department com- 
prise a four-story and basement building, 25x125 feet in dimensions, completely 
stocked with everything in the line of queensware, china and glassware, embrac- 
ing the finest English, French and German goods, as well as the best goods of 
domestic manufadlure, also a full line of pocket and table cutlery, lamps, chande- 
liers and plated ware in all styles and designs. In addition to their laige whole- 
sale premises the firm has a handsome store at 936 Main street, where they do an 
extensive and steadily growing retail business. The members of the firm are all 
experienced business men of superior attainments, under whose personal super- 
vision the details of the business are conducted, and thirty competent clerks and 
assistants are employed, while a full staff of traveling salesmen represent the firm 
on the road. The firm is one of large resources and occupies a high position with 
the trade, which it has earned by uniformly fair dealing. 

Strayer, Coomber & Co. — Real Estate, Loan and Rental Agency; 
Room 3, National Block, Corner of Ninth and Main streets. — This enterprise was 
organized and established eight years ago, by Strayer & Co., and Mr. Coomber 
became a member of the firm about two years ago. It has conducted an extensive 
business from its incipiency, which has increased constantly with the growth and 
importance of the city. It attends to all matters coming under the general head of 
real estate business, buys and sells improved and unimproved real property, makes 
loans on mortgages, makes investments on city improved and unimproved prop- 
erty and farming realties, furnishes tenants for vacant property in the city, coUeAs 
rents and makes remittances promptly, and is endowed with such facilities as to 
enable it to corredlly advise customers of the means of disposing most profitably 
of their property. Among their present opportunities they have under immediate 
control the beautiful suburb. South Park, Johnson County, Kansas, covering an 
area of 200 acres, 125 of which have been platted, and are now in the market. South 
Park is just six miles from Kansas City proper, and a fare of nine and a half cents 
is charged for transit. The extensive Crow Spring Works are located there, and 
twenty- nine lots have been sold within three weeks. The streets are beautifully 
laid out and partially graded, and there is no better location for manufa6luring 
purposes. The Fort Scott railroad, with seven daily trains, passes through this 
property, thus giving speedy transit and communication. The members of the firm 
have a large experience in the business, and stand high in business circles as 
gentlemen of unsullied probity and honor. Through the influence of this firm 
three large sjmdicates have been organized, chief among which is the Kansas City 
and Philadelphia Land and Improvement Company, which has purchased about 4,000 
acres of choice suburban lands, immediately southwest of the city limits. In the 
center of this tract it is proposed to locate the Great Southwestern University, 
under the auspices of the Methodist Epispocal Church, the construcflion of which 
is now under contradl. This will be the leading educational institution of the 
Southwest, and form a nucleus around which will center one of the most important 
suburban districts of Kansas City. This firm has also organized the Kansas City 
and Olathe Rapid Transit Line Company, which is under contract to build a rail- 
road between those two cities, passing direftly through the above described suburb, 
conveniently near the University buildings and campus. The firm is at present 
organizing another strong company for the manufadlure of brick and terra cotta 
out of a very superior clay that they own. The firm place a large amount of Eastern 
and foreign capital in profitable investments. Mr. J. W. Strayer has just returned 
from the East, where he has effected loans in bonds to the extent of over one 
million dollars. The International Loan, Trust and Improvement Companj' is 
another of their creations, which is composed of representative Kansas City and 
Eastern capitalists, involving a capital stock of $1,000,000. These prominent tran- 
sactions comprise a few of the many important enterprises inaugurated by this 
reputable firm. 

E. Link & Co. — Wholesale Millinery; 519 to 521 Delaware Street. — The 
marvelous growth of Kansas City is, in a large measure, due to the influx of a class 
of business men who bring with them the experience of years, and a commercial 
reputation founded upon a basis of honor and enterprise. The house of E. Link & 
Co., first received its inception under the firm name of Pearson cS: Link, in 



Thb Industries of Kansas City. 



177 



January, 1887, but on August ist, following, Mr. Pearson retired and the firm 
assumed its present style. The house is already one of the largest and most prom- 
inent of the line in Kansas City, and is conducted by a gentleman of long and 
valuable experience in the line. Mr. E. Link is an lowan b}' birth, and was there 
engaged in the millinery trade until coming to this city in March, 1S86. The 
annual transa<5tions of this house reach $50,000, seven men are required in the 
employ at a weekly pay-roll of seventy-five dollars, and the trade territory, which 
is rapidly expanding, already covers the States of Kansas, Missouri and Colorado. 
The building occupied is 42x120 feet in dimensions, and a perfect model as regards 
general arrangement. 

Bradley, Wheeler & Co. — Wholesale Vehicles and Farming Machinery; 
Corner of Tenth and Hickory Streets. — This well-known house was established in 

1884, by the David Bradley Manufadlur- 
ing Co., of Chicago (manufacturers of 
the celebrated "Garden City" plows, 
Bradley cultivators. Lister's harrows, 
rakes, etc., and the "Square Corner" 
sulky and gang plows), and C. S. 
Wheeler, of Kansas City. Mr. Wheeler 
has resided in Kansas City upwards of 
eighteen years, during which time he has 
been prominent in his present line of 
business, and has been identified with 
various public and private enterprises, 
being now the Vice-President of the 
Merchants' National Bank of Kansas 
City, and is largely interested in real 
estate in the city. The immense ware- 
house and salesrooms of Bradley, 
Wheeler & Co., are located at the cor- 
ner of Tenth and Hickory streets, near 
"' ~ the Union Depot, and convenient to 

cable lines and the elevated railway. They occupy their own building, a five-story 
brick, with basement, 96 x 118 feet in dimensions, fully equipped with every facility 
for the transadlion of their enormous and far reaching business, including ample 
side tracks, extensive platforms for both cars and wagons, two elevators, and the 
largest and best lighted show-room (and containing the greatest variety of samples) 
in the West. They employ thirty persons, including a large traveling force, and 
their trade extends over Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, New Mexico and the Indian 
Territory, and into Arizona and even California and Old Mexico. Their leading im- 
plent and wagon specialties, in addition to the "Garden City" plows and Bradley 
line, are the " Schuttler " and " La Belle " wagons, the Campbell corn drill, the 
"Challenge" corn planter, the Bradley and "Crown" mowers, the "Diamond" 
feed mills, "Eagle" shellers, feed cutters and horsepowers. In buggies, carriages 
and all sprinj; vehicles, Bradley, Wheeler & Co. claim pre eminence over all com- 
petitors, and in support of their claim they show in their stock and catalogue a 
greater variety than any other house. Their "Reliance" buggies, "Atlanta" car- 
riages, " Flint" road carts and Toomej' track sulkies are widely known and used. 
They also deal largely in harness of the best makes. Unquestionably the energy 
and honorable reputation of this house, and the uniformly reliable quality of their 
goods has placed this house at the front in Kansas City's immense implement and 
vehicle trade, and it should take rank as afacftor of no small account in the city's 
marvelous growth. 

Eli Lilly & Co. — Pharmaceutical Chemists. — -This important industr}' was 
founded in Indianapolis, Ind., in 1876, and duly incorporated in iSSr. The officers 
are: Eli Lilly, President; James E. Lilly, Vice-President and Assistant Treasurer; 
Evans F. Lilly, Secretary ; J. K. Lilly, Superintendent of Laborator}-. A branch 
house was established here in 1881, under the same corporate name, with Mr. 
James E. Lilly as business manager. A paid up capital stock of $120,000 is in- 
volved in the enterprise and the trade extends all over the United States. In the 
main factory a force of sixty hands is employed and eight traveling salesmen 




178 The; Industries of Kansas City. 



"represent the house on the road. The branch establishment at this point employs 
fourteen persons, four of whom lepresent the interests of this division in its trade 
territory, which embraces Missouri, Kaubas, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Dakota, and 
extends to the Pacific Coast, controlling an annual trade amounting to upwards of 
one quarter of a million dollars. The preparations handled by this house are 
mainly the product of the parent house at Indianapolis, and consist in fluid and 
assayer fluid extracts, solid and powder extradls, abstracts, medicinal elixirs, 
syrups and wines, granulated botanical drugs, designed for percolation, sugar and 
gelatine coated pills, pink granules, chemically pure tablets, flavored tablets, medi- 
cated and flavored lozenges and standard tinctures, and among the specialties of 
the house are : succus alterans, (McDade) ; elixir purgans ; Lilly's liquid pepsin; pil. 
aphrodisiaca ; wine of coca, with hypophosphites ; syrup yerba santa, aromatic ; 
fluid golden seal ; purified ergotin ; concentrated pepsin ; saccharated pepsin ; War- 
burg's tincSlure ; Dover's powder, assayed ; chlorodyne, (Chandler.) These prepara- 
tions are warranted to stand the most rigid chemical tests for purity, and their 
excellent medicinal virtues have obtained a wide and enviable reputation wherever 
they have been introduced. Wholesale druggists everywhere keep them in stock, 
and at their depot in Kansas City, as well as at the laboratory, orders are promptly 
filled for the wholesale trade by the company. The premises occupied here for 
business purposes are eligibly located at 510 Broadway, where a full and complete 
stock is constantly carried. The officers of the company are pradlical business 
men, thoroughly conversant with every detail of this industry. They are all resi- 
dents of Indianapolis except Mr. James E. Lilly, who is the resident manager of 
the Kansas City house, and has had charge of it since its establishment here. He 
is from Lexington, Ky., and has had twenty-five years' experience in laboratory 
work, and is a brother of the president, Mr. Eli Lilly. 

S Hirsch & Co. — Wholesale Dealers in Liquors, Wines and Cigars; 602 
and 604 Delaware Street. — This business was established in 1879 ^J the firm of 
Stiefel & Determan, by whom it was conducted until three years ago, when the 
present firm was formed, composed of Messrs. S. Hirsch and C. Stiefel. The prem- 
ises occupied by this firm embrace the main floor and two cellars, each 40 x 120 
feet in dimensions, giving ever}' facility for the successful condu6t of their busi- 
ness, which consists of a large trade covering the States of Kansas, Missouri and 
Colorado, as wholesale dealers in every description of imported and domestic liquors, 
wines and cigars. In liquors the firm deals in all the leading brands of bourbon 
and r3'e whiskies, and are large direct importers of the finest wines, brandies, gins 
and other foreign liquors. They are also sole agents for the celebrated Marshal 
Ney cigars, as well as a number of other leading brands. Four competent clerks 
and assistants are employed in the house and four traveling salesmen take the road 
and represent the firm in its business territory'. Mr. Hirsch was engaged in the 
wholesale liquor business at Leadville, Col., for a number years prior to coming to 
Kansas City and joining Mr. Stiefel in the formation of the present firm; and Mr. 
Stiefel is a pradlical and experienced man in this business, in which he was engaged 
for a number of years in St. Louis prior to embarking in this enterprise. The firm 
has commended itself to the approval of the trade by the careful selection of its 
stock, its promptness and accuracy in filling orders, and the uniform fairness by 
which its business methods are charadlerized. 

Inter-State Oil Company. — Manufacturers and Dealers in Lubricating 
and Fine Machinery Oils and Greases; 1302 Union Avenue. — Among the various 
industries that mark the progress made in machinery, the manufacture of lubri- 
cants plays an important part. Kansas City is not found wanting in the rapid de- 
velopment of siich as these. As an instance of such growth prominent mention is 
merited by the Inter-State Oil Company, which had its inception in this city in 
1883, under the auspices of Speer, Jones & Co. Its present designation was 
assumed under a re- organization July ist, 1887, with Messrs. C. A. Shepard, as 
President and General Manager, and H. P. Scott, Secretary and Treasurer. An 
ample capital is involved in the enterprise; and the factory, a building three stories 
in height and 40x110 feet in dimensions, is completeh' equipped with all necessary 
modern conveniences for the expeditious and proper conducfl of the business. The 
trade obtained for the produ(fl of this industry is very large, extending throughout 
the States of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and other points West as far as the 



The Industries of Kansas City. 179 



Pacific slope. Besides the manufa6ture of all kinds of lubricating oils and greases, 
this company make a specialty of the manufadlure of fine grades of cylinder and 
engine oils, which commands a very extensive and constantly increasing sale. Mr. 
C. A. Shepard, the President and General Manager, has been a resident of this city 
five j'cars. He is a native of the Old Dominion, and has been conne6led with the 
oil industry upwards of fifteen years and with th'e oil trade nearly all his business 
life. Mr. H. P. Scott, his worthy associate, came to Kansas City about one year 
ago. He is a Vermonter by birth, an attorney at law by profession, and in this 
connection is interested to a considerable extent in real estate transfers and owner- 
ship. The affairs of this industry are ably administered by these gentlemen, and 
the success of the enterprise is due to intelligent dire6tion in the affairs of the 
company on the part of its officers, who stand high in commercial, as well as social 
circles. 

Kansas City Transfer Company.— O. Chanute, President; P. 
Thompson, General Manager ; C. P. James, Treasurer ; Transfef of Freight of All 
Kinds and Storage ; 520 Delaware Street. — The most prominent corporation 
engaged in the transfer and handling of freight in this city is the Kansas City 
Transfer Company, which was incorporated in 1869 with a capital stock of $40,000, 
and has since controlled the principal business in this department of industry in 
the city. The perfecft system upon which their business is conducfted, the superior 
facilities thej' enjoy, and their uniform reliability have combined to secure for this 
company a reputation second to no concern in this line in the West. The stables 
of the company are located on Fourth street, near Broadway, and occupy a large 
building, with every convenience and accessory calculated to facilitate the business, 
the company having forty transfer wagons, which are kept busily engaged in the 
transfer of freight to and from the depots, and a specialt}' is made of the transfer 
of heavy machinery, safes, etc., and moving of heavy articles from one part of the 
city to another. A large pbrtion of the business done by the firm is freighting in 
carload lots which are consigned to them for shipment to destination. The company 
is also prepared to do storage of ever}- kind, which is attended to carefully and 
efl&ciently. The officers of the companj- are all gentlemen of prominence in the 
business world, Mr. Chanute, the President of the company, having come to Kan- 
sas City in 1867, and built the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad bridge across the 
Missouri River, which was completed in July, 1869. During his residence here he 
became connedled with the Kansas City Transfer Company, in which he still 
retained an interest after removing to New York in 1873, and until his retiirn here 
in 1883, since which time he has lived in this city and lias been at the head of this 
corporation. In addition to this position he is prominent as a consulting engineer, 
and now has the supervision of the building of bridges upon the Chicago extension 
of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, including exclusively the bridge at 
Sibley, Mo., across the Missouri River, and that at Fort Madison, across the Miss- 
issippi River, and a number of others. Mr. P. Thompson, the general manager of 
the company, who has the adlive supervision of its business, has resided in Kan- 
sas City for five years, and was formerly connecfted with the Kansas City Rapid Tran- 
sit Delivery Company, of which he was the organizer. He was connedted with the 
United States Treasury for five years, at which time he was a resident of Washing- 
ton D. C, and was employed on the Pacific Coast gathering mining statistics for 
the United States government. Mr. James, the Treasurer of the company, was 
formerly Secretary and Treasure r of the Peoria & Rock Island Railroad, and 
resided at Peoria, 111., prior to removing to Kansas Citj- in 1880. In connexion 
with the business of the Transfer Company a parcels deliverj' system is condudted, 
which is perfedl in its details of management, and employment is given to a force 
of about fifty men in the different departments of the business. The company is 
recognized as one of the greatest public conveniences in the city, and efficient in 
all the details of transfer business. 

Richard Coomber & Co. — Manufadlurers of and Dealers in Saratoga 
Chips, Pop-Corn and New York Parched Sweet Corn ; 617 Broadway. — This estab- 
lishment, which has had a gratifying growth in its business from the time it was 
started one year ago, has secured a success as the result of a superior method of 
the processes of the manufafture of this product Saratoga chips are prepared by 
extradling the water from potatoes, thinly sliced, retaining the starch and saccha- 



i8o Thb Industries op Kansas City. 



rine properties. The goods are much more palatable and wholesome than what 
are commonly known as wafer chips, and will keep in any climate without becom- 
ing stale and rancid, if kept dry and away from taint, and are extensively used by 
private families, hotels and restaurants, and also for picnics, excursions and train 
lunches. The product of the factory has obtained a wide spread celebrity, and the 
trade in the article extends throughout the United States, the produ(?t of this 
house being sold to leading jobbing houses in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and 
other Western States, together with an extensive business in the city. For the 
manufa<5lure of these goods the company has all the necessary appliances and uses 
only the best material. It is the only industry of the kind between Detroit and 
Denver, and the great advantage of purchasing from this house is, that the goods 
are fresher and the saving of transportation charges. It gives employment to two 
men who are well versed in all the details of the manufacture of tdis produdt, and 
by its careful business methods and its promptness in filling orders, is constantly 
increasing in business. Mr. Richard Coomber is formerly from London, England, 
and has been a resident of Kansas City for about one year. 

Cyrus B. Lakin. — Archite6t; 19 and 20 James Building, 551 Delaware 
Street. — Mr. Lakin is an educated and experienced architect, who has been engaged 
in the practice of his profession for a nupiber of years, his original start at the 
business having been at Columbus, O., of which city he is native. From there he 
removed in 1878 to Des Moines, la., and while in that city was the architedt of 
man}' of the finest structures to be found there, prominent among which may be 
mentioned the Drake University, one of the finest educational institutions in the 
West, and large blocks for the firm of Watt, Cochran & Sperry, and for Frank Maul. 
From that city he removed to Kansas City, and established himself in his present 
enterprise in 1885, since which time he has designed and superintended a number 
of the most prominent stru6tures in the cit}-, as well as a large amount of work in 
different parts of the country. He now has on hand the opera house at Olathe, 
Kas., and a residence for Judge H. L. Burgess at the same place, and in Kansas 
City he has in course of construction a fine residence block at the corner of Fifteenth 
and Harrison streets for M. S. Tyler, six large residences on Wabash avenue for 
P. W. Powers, a $50,000 hotel for Leo Stegner, and a $25,000 residence at Los An- 
geles, Cal., for A. N. Tyler. The buildings designed by Mr. Lakin are notable for 
the happy combination of artistic merit with a perfect adaptation to the uses for 
which the stru6tures are designed, and the close care and attention given to all the 
details of construction give to his services a recognized value, and have secured for 
him a steady increase of patronage from the inception of the business to the present 
time. He is assisted in his work by a staff of competent clerks and draughtsmen, 
and is prepared to furnish plans, and supervise the construction of buildings in 
the most approved style of the art. 

Kansas City Tobacco Manufacturing Company.— N. B. joslin. 
President; F. E. Draper, Secretary; Ben. Mitchell, Treasurer and Superintendent; 
Manufacturers of Fine Plug, Navy and Twist Tobacco ; 608 Broadway. — This cor- 
poration was formed in 1888, with a paid-up capital of $25,000, for the purpose of 
engaging in the manufacture of fine plug, navy and twist tobacco, in which depart- 
ment of industry it has since been steadily engaged, its trade increasing from the 
inception of the enterprise to the present time. The building occupied is a four- 
story structure, 90 x 30 feet in dimensions, completelj' equipped with all the latest 
and most highly improved machinery and appliances adapted to this department of 
industry, propelled by a 24 horse-power engine, fed by an 18 foot steel boiler. Em- 
ployment is given to forty hands, and the produCt of the faCtory amounts to 2,500 
pounds of tobacco per day, the brands manufactured by the company including 
the well-knowQ and favorite ones " Natural Leaf," " Nutmeg," Golden Rule," " Com- 
bination," " Lone Star" and "Red Rule" plug, and in twist tobaccos including the 
" Gold Dollar," " Kansas City," " Missouri 12s " and " Corkscrew," all of which are 
favorites with consumers, and in large demand b}' the trade throughout the States 
of Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Texas and Colorado, in which the company is rep re 
sented by a staff of active and experienced traveling salesmen of wide acquaintance 
with the trade. Mr. Joslin, the President of the compau}-, formerlj' resided at El- 
dorado, Kas., where he was engaged in the cigar manufacturing business prior to 
coming to this city and embarking in this enterprise. Mr. Draper, the Secretary, 



The Industries op Kansas City. 



i8i 



was previous to engaging with this corporation, for six years freight auditor of the 
Fort Scott & Gull Railroad. Mr. Mitchell, Treasurer and Superintendent, is a 
thoroughly practical and experienced man in the tobacco manufacfturing business, 
in which he has been engaged for the past twentj'-seven years, for twenty-one of 
which he was foreman and manager of the Gem City Tobacco Works at Quincy, 111. 
In addition to these gentlemen as officers of the company, the Board of Directors is 
composed of a number of prominent business men of the city. The company is 
one of large resources and superior facilities, and is rapidly increasing its trade as 
a result of the excellence of its produdl and the reliability of its dealings with the 
trade. 

Charles N. Dunham & Co. — ManufaClurersof Engineers' and Surveyors' 
Instruments, and Engineers' and Draughting Supplies ; 327 West Sixth Street. — The 

high order of usefiilnessness involved in an 
industry of the kind now under special no- 
tice can be seen and appreciated when it is 
known that it caters to the wants of a pro- 
fession that is essentially important and in- 
dispensable in a community. The gentlemen 
composing this firm are eminentl}- skilled, 
Mr. Chas. N. Dunham having been formerly 
associated with the ret owned house of Knox 
& Skain, of Philadelphia, which was founded 
in 1S50, and upon its dissolution was suc- 
ceeded here by the present firm. Mr. Dun- 
ham in this connection has had upwards of 
twentj'-three ^-ears' experience as an instru- 
ment maker in all the phases of this impor- 
tant industry, and which requires more than 
ordinary mechanical skill and training. Mr. 
J. R. Stephens is also a Philadelphian, and a 
civil engineer by profession, thus possessing 
an intimate knowledge of all the requirements 
of the profession and competent to judge 
the excellence of the work to be turned out. 
The premises are commodious, and eligiblj- 
located at 327 West Sixth street, fully equipped 
with every essential appliance and machine 
used in fashioning this intricate and most 
delicate work, usually executed upon the 
stridtest principles of science and matha- 
matics. Their produdt consists mainly of 
engineers', surveyors' and aichite<5ts' instru- 
ments and supplies, for field and office purposes. This firm received the bronze 
medal on transit work and general excellence in display of instruments at the 
Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia, in 1876; also silver medal from Franklin 
Institute, Philadelphia, for improvements in tiansits. Their success in the present 
enterprise is due to consummate skill in the manufadlure and the exercise of busi- 
ness sagacity in the condndl of their affairs. 

A. L. Charles. — General Commission Merchant; 406 Delaware Street. — 
This old and reliable house was established by Mr. A. L. Charles, in 1S67, when the 
Gate City was in embryo. The business location was originalh' on the Levee, and 
was removed to its present site in 1871, in order to secure more commodious quar- 
ters for his rapidly expanding trade. A business amounting to upwards of $75,cco 
is now done, embracing in the trade territory covered, Kansas, Western and 
Southwestern Missouri, receiving consignments from these and adjacent States of 
produce, fruits, eggs, butter, poultry, hides, and game. There are in the employ 
from three to four active men, one of whom makes occasional trips into the interior 
in the interest of the house. Mr. Charles has been a resident since 1867, when he 
came here expressly to establish this enterprise from Butler County, Ohio, where 
he was similarl}- engaged for a number of years in the milling and distilling indus- 
try. His business here has prospered beyond his most sanguine espe<5lations. The* 




i82 Thk Industries of Kansas City. 



premises occupied at No. 406 are commodious and conveniently located, 'being in 
the wholesale jobbing portion of the city, in dimensions 24x90 feet, three stories in 
height, supplied with every convenience for the prompt receipt, shipment and 
storage of goods. The deservedly great success in business by Mr. Charles is due 
to care in the management of his affairs and the adoption of honorable business 
methods in all his dealings. He is the pioneer commission merchant of 
Kansas City. 

Grimes Wagon Manufacturing Company.— William C.Grimes, Pro- 
prietor anc Manager; 209, 211, 213, 215 Main Street.— This industr}' was established 
twelve jears ago by the present proprietor, he being a master workman in his 
present avocation, having been engaged in the business twenty-five years. This 
establishment occupies four spacious buildings, two of them three stories in 
height and the others two stories, all covering an area of 80x142 feet, fitted with all 
the necessary machinery and equipments for the successful prosecution of the 
business, and giving employment to a force of forty-five skilled mechanics. This 
house makes a specialty of heavy transfer wagons, carts, drays, etc. ; and at present 
manufacStures all wagons for the Union Transfer Co., as also for the Kansas City 
Transfer Co. It manufa(5lures wagons with 10 feet axles, 4^^ inch spindles, 7 feet 
wheels, 20 inch hubs and 4 inch tire ; its products are sold throughout Missouri, 
Kansas and all the Western States, and it has an extensive trade in California, 
especially in the redwood district. Mr. Grimes devotes his whole time to his busi- 
ness, carefully supervising every detail, and by fair dealing, with promptness in 
filling orders, his business is constantly on the increase. He was formerly a resi- 
dent of California, where he was engaged in the manufadlure of wagons. From 
thence moved to Ottumwa, la., engaging in wagon making there, where he pur- 
chased large tradts of land. He then came to Kansas City, where he established 
the present successful enterprise, with a prospe6l of unlimited good fortune as its 
results. 

TFie Germania Life Insurance Company. — Principal Ofl&ces: 
Home Office, 20 Nassau Street, New York City. (Established i860); European 
Branch Ofiice, L,eipziger Platz, No. 12, Berlin, Germany. (Established 1868); Kansas 
City Office, Room 312, Alamo Building ; Mr. August Schulz, Manager. (Established 
the present year), and agencies in all the principal cities of the United States of 
America and the German Empire. — The purpose of this brief sketch is to note a 
few facets in connection with Mr. August Schulz's management of this company's 
affairs in the West. In him the company has a reliable and eminently trustworthy 
representative, whose whole heart and mind is in the business. Mr. Schulz is a 
German by birth and education, having been born in Ulm. He came to America in 
1871, remaining in the East for a time, and came to Kansas City about fifteen years 
ago. Here he established himself as agent, representing special Eastern manufac- 
turers, until he was assigned to his present important position. The Germania Life 
Insurance Co. is one of the most strongest and reliable organizations in the country, 
and its methods are based upon sound and conservative principles of insurance. As 
per its last annual statement January ist, 1887, is shown assets amounting to 
$12,310,626.19, and a surplus as regards policy holders of nearly $2,000,000. With 
such financial standing, the company for which Mr. Schulz is the efficient manager 
of the Kansas City agencies, can offer unprecedented inducements to its patrons. 

Knight & Clingenpeel. — Real Estate, Loan, Rental and Exchange 
Agents; 721 Delaware Street. — This business was established in June, 1887, under 
the style of Knight & Co., changing to its present style November 1, 1887, the 
members of the firm now being Messrs. Alfred Knight and J. C. Clingenpeel. The 
firm does a large business principally in city and suburban property, of which they 
carry at all times a large list, including some of the most desirable improved and 
unimproved business and residence properties to be found in the city or its 
suburbs. They attend to all the various departments usually belonging to a first 
class real estate agency, buy, sell and exchange real property, attend to renting of 
houses, loan money on real estate security, and act as agents in the exchange of 
property. Mr. Knight has resided in Kansas City since 1880, and was formerly 
engaged in the railroad business in a clerical position with the Un^on Pacific Rail- 
road. He is a Notary Public, and is prepared to attend to acknowledgements of 



The Industries of Kansas City. 183 



deeds and conveyances and do all kinds of notarial business, and Mr. Clingenpeel is a 
gentleman of superior business attainments and experience, and prior to entering 
this firm, had long and valuable experience in quoting values on real estate, etc. The 
firm closely attends to every commission placed in its hands, and is thoroughly 
reliable in every respedt. The firm has since its establishment enjoyed a generous 
share of the patronage of investors in real estate, and its business has steadily 
increased from month to month as a result of the reliable methods pursued in the 
management of their affairs. They are both young and enterprising business men. 

Keith & Perry Coal Company.— R. H. Keith, President ; Jno. Perry, 
Vice-President and General Manager; J. C. Sherwood. Auditor; E. E. Riley, Secre- 
tary and Treasurer ; Miners of and Dealers in Coal ; 532 Delaware Street. — One of 
the largest and best known firms of miners and dealers in coal in the West, is the 
Keith & Perry Coal Co. The business was originally established in 187 1 by R. H. 
Keith, by whom it was conduced until 1SS4, when the present corporation was 
organized, Mr. Keith remaining at the head of the business as President of the 
company. They own and operate a large number of mines in Rich Hill, Fort Scott 
and Cherokee districts, in addition to which they are large dealers in anthracite, 
Blossburg and Cumberland coal, and are extensive manufadturers of coke. Their 
mines have a capacity of 7,000 tons daily, and are operated through a dozen 
different shafts, all of which are equipped with the most improved machinery for 
hoisting, etc. In addition to the main office of the company at 532 Delaware street, 
they have two branch offices in the city, one at Twentieth and Main streets, and the 
other at Twelfth and Bluff streets, where the extensive coal yards of the company 
are situated. They do a very large business, supplying railroad lines in and around 
Kansas City, large manufacflurers, dealers and consumers in carload lots at reason- 
able rates; and ship coal in large quantities to points throughout Missouri, Kansas 
and Nebraska. The company is one of large resources and unsurpassed facilities, 
and its officers are all well known as successful business men, President Keith 
being in addition to his position at the head of this companj', a diredlor of the 
National Bank of Kansas City, and otherwise prominently identified with important 
business interests. Mr. Perry, Vice President and General Manager, was for many 
years located at Fort Scott, Kas., where he was largely engaged in the coal busi- 
ness, consolidating his interests in 1884 with those of Mr. Keith, and forming 
the present company. He is a prominent and representative citizen, and is 
President of the Citizens' National Bank of Fort Scott, and a leader in other 
important business enterprises. Mr. Sherwood, the Auditor, was formerly con- 
nected with the Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad in the auditor's department, and Mr. 
Riley, the Secretary and Treasurer of the company, is a gentleman of business 
training, who brings to his duties experience and efficiency. Thus officered and 
managed, the company has established itself firmly in the confidence of the trade 
and the public, by the superior quality of coal- in which it deals, the promptness 
and reliability with which all orders are filled, and^its thorough accuracy in every 
respedt. 

The Kirkpatrick-Christopher Commission Company.— Room 

20, Merchants' Exchange Building, Fifth and Delaware Streets. — This reputable 
house was founded in 1877 by Messrs. H. M. Kirkpatrick and B. C. Christopher. In 
the years that followed, a successful business career had marked the well directed 
efforts of the enterprising gentlemen of this firm, and in June, 1S84, a reorganization 
was eflfedled, and the business assumed corporate existence under the present name 
with a capital stock of $50,000 owned equally by the following board of officers who 
have the management of its affairs: Messrs. Z. O. Smith, President; B. C. Chris- 
topher, Vice-President ; H. M. Kirkpatrick, Secretary and Treasurer. The company 
does a grain commission business, receiving consignments from Western Missouri, 
Kansas, Nebraska and South Iowa. The trade extends east and southward. This 
company are lessees of the Novelty Elevator, having a capacity of 225,000 bushels. 
A force of experienced hands are in the employ of the company, and a most satisfac- 
tory service is rendered in the receipt and shipment of grain. The company's 
business now aggregates upwards of one million dollars annually and with an 
average crop, a handsome increase in the volume of trade is assured. Mr. Smith 
has been a resident of Kansas City since 1869, and was a pioneer in the grain trade 
here, having made the first shipment of grain to the seaboard from Kansas City. He 



1 84 The; Industries op Kansas City. 



hails from the Sta'e of Ohio. Mr. Christopher is a Missourian, and has been a resi- 
dent ot this city since 1876. Mr. Kirkpatrick's residence is contemporaneous with 
the latter's, ana he is also interested in live stock, being of the firm of Kirkpatrick 
& Co., live stock merchants. All are prominenily identified with the development 
and success of the grain trade, and stand high in the commercial circles of 
Kansas City. 

F. W. Craig & Co. — Real Estate and Fire Insurance; 115 West Eighth 
Street. — Mr. Craig has been in Kansas City since 1879, and has a thorough know- 
ledge of the city and the values of the different properties in it, and is capable of 
making safe investments of money if any man is. He is a notary public and his 
patrons and customers do not have to pay both commissions and fees by having to 
go to a notary after their trade is made. He also represents a number of first-class 
insurance companies as follows : The Citizens, of Plymouth, assets, $704,788, 
liabilities, $201,290, surplus, $503,498; Peoples, of New York, assets, $383,078, 
liabilities, $118,458, surplus, $2t4,62o; United States, New York, assets, $611,810, 
liabilities, $101,516, surplus, $510,293; Boatmans, of Pittsburgh, assets, $445,330, 
liabilities, $186,956, surplus, $258,374; Pennsylvania, of Pittsburgh, assets, $291,525, 
liabilities, $90,478, surplus, $201,047; Manufacturers and Builders, New York, 
assets, $502,923, liabilities, $115,584, surplus, $387,338; and the Granite State, of 
New Hampshire, a new company with a capital ol $250,000. Mr. Craig came from 
Henderson, Ky. He was formerly in the furniture manufadluring business in 
Owensboro, Ky., employing on an average sixty-five men. He has been in Kansas 
City for the past nine years, three of which he was a book-keeper, and has been in 
real estate about two and a half years. He is an adlive, reliable business man. 

William T. Mathews. — importer and Retailer of Dry Goods, Cloaks, Etc.; 
726 Main Street, and 725 Delaware Street. — This business was established in 1880 
by the firm of Moore & Harris, the interest of Mr. Moore being shortly afterward 
purchased by Mr. Mathews, who also bought out the interest of Mr. Harris a few 
months later. The original location of the business was at 1523 and 1525 Grand 
avenue, removal being made in 1885 to the present premises occupied by the busi- 
ness, embracing a three story structure, 25 x 90 leet in dimensions. The store is 
arranged with all the conveniences and accessories calculated to facilitate the busi- 
ness, and a large and completely diversified stock is carried, including everything 
in the line of dry goods, cottons of all kinds, imported silks, velvets, laces, dress 
goods, white goods and everything pertaining to the line of staple and fancy dry 
goods, an unsurpassed assortment of cloaks, mantles, suites and jackets, and a 
well assorted stock of notions, ribbons, embroideries, etc. Twenty-three clerks 
and assistants are given employment, and the superior selection made in the as- 
sortment of the stock, and the reasonable prices at which the goods are sold have 
secured for Mr. Mathews a large and steadily growing patronage in the city and 
surroundings, and a merited position among the leading retail establishments of 
the city and the West. Mr. Mathews is a gentleman of thorough business training 
and superior attainments, whose close attention to business aud reliable methods 
have been prime fa6lors in securing for him the deserved prosperity he now 
enjoys. 

Kansas Box and Basket Company.— G. w. E. Griffith, President, 
Secretary and Treasurer; C. W. Putnam, Superintendent and Manager; Manu- 
ufadlurers of Fruit Boxes, Baskets, Etc. ; River Bank, Foot of Washington Avenue, 
Kansas City, Kansas. — An important enterprise, which has steadily increased the 
volume of its output from the inception of its business to the present time, is the 
Kansas Box and Basket Co., which occupies a two story fadlory, 50 x 150 feet in 
dimensions, at the foot of Washington avenue, in Kansas City, Kas., and has a ware- 
house across the street from its faAory, which is a two- story building, 50 x 150 feet. 
The fadlory premises are completely equipped with all the latest and most highly 
improved machinerj^ and appliances adapted to the manufacfture of staves, splint 
and grape baskets, berry boxes, peach boxes and egg cases, walnut lumber and veneer- 
ing, the machinery including a band saw mill and all the special appliances used in this 
business. A force ranging from fifty to sevent3--five men, most of whom are expert 
workmen, is employed, and the capacity of the fadlory amounts to about 500 dozen 
baskets, from 600 to 1,000 large boxes, and from 50,000 to 100,000 berry boxes per day. 



The; Industries op Kansas City. 



185 



The premises are eligibly located with a switch track in the immediate vicinity, 
facilitating the handling and shipment of raw material and manufactured produdl, 
and the company has already built up a large trade extending throughout Missouri, 
Kansas, Texas, Nebraska, Iowa and Colorado, a specialty being made of berrv 
boxes, grap^ baskets and egg cases, and a large trade being maintained in the gen- 
eral box business. Mr. Griffith, President, Secretary and Treasurer of the com- 
pany, resides at Lawrence Kas., of which citj- he is a prominent citizen, being 
President of the Merchants' National Bank of that place, and he also is the owner of 
a large basket and box faAory at St. Louis, Mo., is interested in the mining 
business in Old Mexico and Colorado, has large stock interests in Kansas, and is 
prominently identified with many important business enterprises. The practical 
management and superintendence of the business here is in charge of Mr. C. W. 
Putnam, who has for many years been engaged in this business and is thor- 
oughly pradlical in all its details ; and the ample resources and superior facilities 
possessed by the company, the prompt and satisfa6lory manner in which it fills 
orders and the fairness and accuracy of its dealings with its many customers give 
it an important place among the leading industries of Kansas City. 

Beaham & Moffatt. — Teas, Coffee and Spices, Flavoring Extracts, Baking 
Powder and Blueing Manufadlurers, Importers and Jobbers; 8 and 9 Santa Fe 

Street, Kansas City. — This important industry 
^' ^ was founded in 1879, ^y Messrs. E. I. Hogan, 

""" " F. O. Smith and E. O. Mofifatt, Mr Smith buy- 

ing out the former in 1884. In 1886 occurred 
the tragic death of Mr. F. O. Smith, who was 
buried in the ruins of their store, then located 
on West Second street, near Main street, the 
result of a violent tornado. The breach caused 
by this misfortune, was subsequently filled by 
Mr. Thomas Beaham, who had previously 
been engaged in business at Zanesville, O. 
Thus the firm continued in business under its 
new designation up to the present time. Both 
gentlemen are eminently fitted by experience 
and commercial training for the business in 
hand. Mr. Moffatt was formerly connected 
with the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Rail- 
way Co., at Chicago (freight claim department). 
The premises occupied for business purposes 
are 80x120 feet in dimensions, five stories and 
basement, a substantial brick building, sup- 
plied with all appliances, machinery and con- 
veniences for the proper and expeditious prose- 
cution of the business. A fifty-horse power engine is the motive power for driving 
four of the best modern coffee roasters, and every other appointment of this model 
establishment is in keeping with the progress of the times, and ranks second to none 
in point of the amount of its produdl placed upon the market, and within the trade 
territory tributary to Kansas City. Among the many conveniences possessed by 
this house, may be mentioned incandescent lighting of the building, fire escapes, 
speaking tubes and telephone communication to every part of the city as well as 
telegraph service all over the country. Their facilities for the receipt and shipment 
of goods are superior. Switches connecting with the various railroads centering 
here are conveniently located on all sides of their premises. The capacity of the 
coffee roasters is 100 bags per diem. There are twenty-five people in the employ of 
this house, eight of whom represent the firm in their trade territory, which em- 
braces Kansas, Western Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska, and steadily extending to 
adjacent territory. Their specialties are importing teas (of which they carry about 
100 different lines). Their three pound packages of "Mojava" coffee, which owing 
to its superior quality and flavor, commands a very extensive sale all through the 
West, among the lovers of really fine coffee ; also Vienna laimdry blue, the best 
in the market, and Vienna triple extradls, possessing unexcelled qualites in purity 
and flavor. These flavoring extradts are also greatly in demand on acco^^int of their 
superior merit. Pure ground spices, which they guarantee second to none ground. 




i86 The; Industries op Kansas City. 



The success of this house under many adverse circumstances is in itself proof of 
the high order of business sagacity and personal courage and endurance possessed 
by the gentlemen controlling its affairs from time to time. This, coupled with 
the commercial honor that charadlerizes their business methods, has won for this 
house a deservedly conspicuous position in trade circles. The house is in the front 
rank of the progressive firms of the Gate City. 

D. Ellison & Son. — Real Estate Agents ; 6oi Delaware Street. — The great 
adtivity in the real estate market in this city, and the number of transadtions car- 
ried on in connedlion with realty, renders the selecftion of a reliable agent a matter 
of great importance, both to those wishing to sell and those desiring to invest. A 
gentleman engaged in this business, who has a deserved prominence which he has 
earned by over twenty years of honorable and corredl business condu6t, is Mr. 
David Ellison, who established himself in the real estate business in this city in 
1866, conducing it alone until 1883, when he was joined by his son, Mr. Garret 
Ellison, who had been trained to the business under the experienced guidance of 
his father. The accurate knowledge of real estate matters possessed by the Messrs. 
Ellison, who are justly regarded as keen judges of values, present and prospedtive, 
of Kansas City real estate, makes this agency a favorite medium through which to 
transact business in relation to city property, and as a consequence the firm has a 
large clientele, and does an extensive and adlive business. During the past year 
they made 350 transfers of real estate, amounting in value to $500,000, included 
among which was a transaction embracing the sale of the Slocomb tract, situated 
on the corner of Prospect and Springfield streets, and comprising fifteen acres, 
which was sold for $65,000. Mr. Ellison, Sr., came to the city in 1866 from Des 
Moines, la., where he was engaged in business as a lawj^er and real estate agent, 
and he is still engaged in the practice of the law. He is a substantial and popular 
citizen, and has several times been seledted by his fellow-citizens in a representa- 
tive capacity, having served in the City Council for four years and as President of 
the Council for one year, and also filled the office of City Recorder for one term. 
Both the Messrs. Ellison are gentlemen of the highest standing, and those hav- 
ing any business to transact in connedlion with real estate in Kansas City or its 
vicinity, can find no better medium through which to carry on their business than 
this well known and representative firm. 

Edgar B. Kay, C. E. — Sanitary and Hydraulic Engineer ; 118 West Sixth 
Street, Walworth Building. — Mr. Kay opened this office in 1886, and has enjoyed a 
good and growing business from the start. He makes a specialty of sanitary and 
hydraulic engineering; prepares plans, specifications and estimates, and superin- 
tends the construdlion of sewerage, drainage and plumbing systems, also of water 
works, steam and water power, general heating, ventilation, etc. He designed and 
construdted the steam- heating, eledlric light and sanitary work of the Warder 
Grand Opera House, which is one of the finest theatres in the United States. He 
prepared the plans for the heating apparatus in the New York Life Insurance 
Building and the New England Insurance Building, and at present is busy putting 
the steam heating and eledlric light plants into twenty-two buildings on Broadway 
for Mr. J. K. Landis. Mr. Kay is a graduate of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 
of Troy, N. Y. He was professor for two years in his Alma Mater after graduating. 
He did a great deal of engineering work prior to coming to Kansas City, is eminent 
in his profession, and his services are fully appreciated by the builders of this fast 
growing city. 

J. P. Emmert & Co. — Live Stock Commission Merchants; Room 20, 
Stock Exchange Building.— Prominent among the live stock commission interests 
of this city honorable mention is due to the firm of J. P. Emmert & Co., which was 
established in 1873. -^t its inception the enterprise was located at St. Joseph, Mo., 
and the business is still continued at that point under the same firm name. Mr. 
V. W. Emmert has charge of the affairs of the St. Joseph house, assisted by Mr. 
Charles F. Emmert in the management of the ofiice business of the concern. The 
founder of this important and reputable enterprise, Mr. J. P. Emmert, is at this 
end of the line, and under his careful and judicious management a wonderful 
expansion in business has resulted since the establishment of his headquarters in 
Kansas City. The firm do a stridtly exclusive commission business in live stock 



The Industries of Kansas City. 187 



and kindred lines. The annual sales of this great industry amount to upwards of 
1^4,000,000, and are steadily increasing in volume. Mr. J. P. Emmert is a native of 
the Keystone State, removing with his father, Philip Emmert, to Henr}' County, 
Illinois, where he settled while the subject of this sketch was but a child in years, 
but his subsequent life was fraught with many changes. Arriving at manhood's 
estate, he enlisted under his countr3-'s flag in the service of the Union Army where 
he battled faithfully in the cause of freedom and a united countrj' for four long 
years and was honorably discharged. Returning home he at once engaged in the 
live stock business, which he has followed ever since with a success almost unpar- 
alelled in the annals of trade. Subsequent to the establishment of his business in 
St. Joseph, Mo., he superintended the construdlion of the Union Stock Yards at 
that place, and was the prime mover in the organization of the pioneer live stock 
commission industry of that city in 1873. At the opening of his business here in 
1883, his adaptability as cattle salesman and confidential adviser on the Kansas 
City Live Stock Exchange gave him commanding prominence. His associates in 
business, Messrs. P. Weidlein, salesman in the hog department; J. W. Stutterd, 
book-keeper for the house ; and E. L. Kreider, solicitor on the road, are highly 
gifted business men who perform their respective duties in a commendable man- 
ner and to the entire satisfaction of the firm. A more honorable business record 
and successful career is seldom witnessed in these da3-s. 

Excelsior Plating Works.— Gold, Silver and Nickel Plating; Ofl&ce and 
Showrooms, 611 Main Street. — This industry was founded several years ago by 
Mr. Chas. H. Waid, who has had an experience in this line of upwards of one 
quarter of a century in Boston, New York and other cities. He has been a resident 
of Kansas City for a number of years and since the establishment of his business 
has met with deservedly great success. Mr. Waid possesses the ver}- best facilities 
for the prosecution of the art of gold, silver and nickel plating, in which line he 
excels. His business is confined to the city mainly, but he also does work on 
orders from Nebraska and Kansas. His trade has been steadily increasing from 
year to year by reason of the superiority of his work and the trustworthy methods 
exercised in all his dealings. At his establishment may be found a large and 
elegant display of his handiwork, in proof of the consummate skill he employs in 
the execution of this difiicult work. 

Fairbanks & Co. — Scales; 302 and 304 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, 
Mo.; Kansas City Repair Shop ; General Repairing and Agency of Fairbanks 
Scales; 1312 Union Avenue.— The fame of the Fairbanks scales has reached every 
clime, where the English language is spoken ; and this celebrated company has 
offices in nearly every city of any considerable size in the United States. The Kan- 
sas City house is direCtly a branch of the St. Louis establishment, having been 
founded in 1876. The property where the repair shops and salesroom are situated 
is owned by the company, whose intention is to erect an elegant five-story build- 
ing for the further advancement of its business here. Mr. E. S. McClain, the 
efficient manager of the concern, and also traveling salesman for the company, is a 
native of Pittsburgh, Pa., but since 1880 has resided in this city. A sufficient force 
of skilled workmen are emploj-ed in the shops, which are furnished with all neces- 
sary machinery and appliances for the prosecution of the business. A full line of 
Fairbanks scales, Westinghouse automatic engines, Smith-Vaile steam pumps, 
Eclipse wind mills, etc., is carried in stock. The management of the house is in 
strict keeping with the principles early adopted by the company, "first-class goods 
and square dealing." 

A. S. Gregg & Co. — Real Estate and Rental Agents; Room D, Alamo 
Building, Seventh and Delaware Streets. — This business was established in Decem- 
"ber, 1886, by the firm of Glenn & Gregg, changing in April, 1887, to Malone & 
Gregg, and in August, 1887, upon the retirement of Mr. Malone, to its present style. 
Mr. Albert S. Gregg, who has resided in Kansas City since 1874, has been engaged 
in business pursuits ever since locating here, and since embarking in his present 
pursuit, has enjoyed a generous share of the business in this department of industry, 
and has conducted a number of the most prominent transactions in real estate in 
the city, among which may be mentioned a transaction comprising the sale of 
seventy-two acres located on Ironton avenue, south of Brush Creek, for $72,000, and 



The Industries of Ka-nsas City. 



other large sales ranging from $5,000 to $6,000 in value. He carries at all times for 
sale a desirable list of residence and business properties, handling real estate both 
in Missouri and Kansas, and particularly in Kansas City and the adjacent towns, 
and. carries on all the departments of a legitimate real estate business, investing 
capital, buying, selling and exchanging property, paying special attention to the 
renting of houses and colledtion of rents. Close and accurate attention to all the 
details of the business has secured for the firm the approval of those with whom it 
has had dealings, and a merited prominence as one of the most reliable concerns 
engaged in this business in the city. 

Crane Brothers Manufacturing Company.— R.T. Crane, President ; 
N. O. Nelson, Vice-President ; William Curr, Treasurer ; Edward Worcester, Secre- 
tary; Manufadlurers and Jobbers of Steam Heating and Plumbing Supplies; 1328 
and 1330 West Eleventh Street. — The Crane Brothers Manufadturing Company, 
having its headquarters at Chicago and prosperous branches in Kansas City, Omaha 
and Los Angeles, is recognized among the largest and most prosperous of the 
American firms engaged in the manufadture and jobbing of steam heating and 
plumbing supplies. The business was originally established in 1855, by the firm of 
Crane Brothers, and was incorporated under its present style in 1865. The Kansas 
City branch, as now conducted, was established early in 1887, as a consolidation of 
the prominent firms of English Brothers and The N. O. Nelson Manufadturing Co. 
with the Crane Brothers Manufadluring Co., making a combination of resources 
and facilities surpassed by no other establishment in the country. The premises 
occupied by the companj^ in this city embrace a five-story and basement building, 
50 X no feet in dimensions, utilized as office and salesroom, and a warehouse across 
the street from the main building, which is a three-story and basement strudture, 
50 X 100 feet in area. In these premises is carried alarge and completely diversified 
stock, embracing everything in the line of apparatus and appliances for steam heat- 
ing, plumbing, gas fitting, etc., and all the latest and most highly improved sanitary 
apparatus. A force of eighteen clerks and assistants is given employment in the 
store, while six traveling salesmen of wide acquaintance in this branch of trade 
represent the company on the road in the territory assigned to this branch estab- 
lishment, covering Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and Texas. Mr. C. C. 
English, who has charge of this branch, is well known to the trade as a gentleman 
of long and pradlical experience in this department of industry, in which he has 
been engaged in Kansas City for twelve years, having been a member of the firm of 
English Brothers prior to the consolidation of its interests with that of the com- 
pany whose interests in this sedtion he now has in charge. Thoroughly efficient, 
pradtical and reliable in all his transadlions, the business of the company is steadily 
growing under his supervision. 

HingSton, Coy & Peake. — Manufadlurers of and Wholesale Dealers in 
Furnishing Goods ; Office and Warehouse, 533 and 535 Delaware Street ; Factory, 
538 Delaware Street. — This firm, of which Messrs. S. J. Hingston, William A. 
Coy and William Peake are the individual members, was formed in 1885, prior 
to which each of the gentlemen named had been in the employ of the firm^of 
Tootle, Hanna & Co., Mr. Hingston having been with them for twenty years, 
Mr. Coy three years and Mr. Peake sixteen years. The long and pradtical ex- 
perience in all the departments of the business possessed by each of the 
menbers of the firm enabled them to establish 1heir enterprise upon a foundation 
of efficiency, and they have now built it up to a prominent and commanding 
position, and control a trade covering the States of Kansas, Missouri, Neb- 
raska and Colerado, and the Territories of Arizona, New Mexico and Indian 
Territory. They «ccupy a store 50x100 feet in dimensions, three stories high, and 
have also a two-story fadtory, 25 x 140 feet in dimensions, completely equipped with 
all the latest and most improved machinery and appliances adapted to the branch 
of produdtion in which they are engaged, and which includes the manufadture of 
duck and jean pants and furnishing goods of every uescription, giving constant 
employment to a force of no employes, in addition to which a force of ten compe- 
tent clerks are employed in the store, while a staff of traveling salesmen represent 
the firm in its trade territory. The firm, from its inception to the present time, 
has based its claim to success upon the superiority of its produdt and the honorable 
and reliable character of its business methods. As a consequence it has acquired in 



The Industries of Kansas City. 



189 



an eminent degree the confidence of the trade, and is now justly regarded as one 
of the leading concerns in its line in the entire West. All orders for every descrip- 
tion of goods in the lines enumerated are filled in a prompt and satisfa6lory man- 
ner, and the jobbing trade of the house is steadily increasing and expanding the 
territory covered by its sales. 

J. R. Bell. — Importer and Jobber in Musical Merchandise, Publisher of and 
Dealer in Sheet Music and Music Books; 613 Main Street— This industry was 
organized and established in 1870, by 
Conover Brothers, and in October, 1884, 
Mr. J. R. Bell succeeded them in busi- 
ness with the extensive stock then on 
hand. The sales of this house are im- 





mense, It Demg tne most 

popular music house in 
the entire West. With a splendid local 
trade it is constantly receiving orders 
from all over the country. Carrying 
every species of musical instruments, 
they have a specialty in sheet music, and always have on hand the latest publica- 
tions. Mr. Bell is a native of New Field, New York, and came to Kansas City in 
1868. He resigned a lucrative position in 1884, to assume proprietorship of the 
present enterprise. He owns the copyright of many of the most popular musical 
gems, and is engaged to a large extent in publishing. This house holds the 
western agency for the " New Model Washburn " guitar, which is universally 
recognized as the favorite in musical circles. A cut of this popular instrument 
appears in connexion with this article. 

Theo. F. Conkey. — Contradlor and Builder; North-East Corner of 
Fifteenth and Main Streets. — It is to such enterprises as this that Kansas City may 
attribute her magnificient edifices which are the pride and the boast of every citizen 
within its limits. In the erection of large and substantial buildings a great deal 
depends upon the reliability of the contractor and the builder, and the honest ful- 
fillment of the purposes of the architecfl and proprietor, and in this respedl Mr. 
Conkey stands with an unsullied reputation among the entire business community. 
He has ten experienced workmen employed, and his business transadlions amount 
to $20,000 annually, principally located in Missouri and Kansas, where all his 
dealings have been successful, financially and otherwise. Mr. Conkey is a native 
of New York, was a long time engaged in this business in Chicago, 111., and became 
a resident of Kansas City eight years ago, and founded the present industry here 
in 1880. He is also interested in various other enterprises in the city, and is 
regarded as most reliable in business circles. 

Kansas City Radiator and Iron Foundry Company.— R. P. 

McGeehan, President; Charles C. Adams, Vice-President; Ed. H. Ball, Secretary; 
N. McAlpine, Treasurer; Joseph Askins, Manager; Office, Rooms 13 and 14 Wales 
Building. — This association was organized and established October ist, 18S7, by 
the parties above named, and was incorporated at the same time with a capital 
stock of $200,000. This association ranks among the largest of the manufacturing 
industries in the cit}^, and it now employs from two hundred to five hundred 
skilled workmen, while its business is constantly increasing. The range of 
manufadlures carried on at the works is a wide one, comprising general foundry 
work with a specialty in x\skins' Improved Radiators, and its trade extends 
throughout Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, Arkansas, Texas, Indian 
Territory, and as far West as California, while it also has an extensive business in 
the Eastern States, and many of the largest and most important manufacturing 
establishments of the city have been supplied and fitted with machinery from these 
works. All the operations of the works are conducted under the close personal 
management of Mr. Joseph Askins, who is a thoroughly practical and experienced 



I90 Th:e Industries of Kansas City. 



man in the business. The foundry building covers an area of 60x150 feet, one 
story, while the finishing shops are 40x150 feet, two stories in height, and have 
attached all the most approved facilities for the accommodation of workmen, to- 
gether with a switch-track for the purpose of facilitating receipts and shipments. 
Mr. R. P. McGeehan, President, formerly resided in Ohio, but has lived in Kansas 
City three years. He has extensive financial interests here, and is one of the stock- 
holders of the new bank being organized in Argentine. Mr. Chas. C. Adams, Vice- 
President, is a native of Ohio, and is at present residing at Warren, that State. Mr. 
E. H. Ball, Secretary, is a native of Milwaukee, Wis., and is a resident of and con- 
nected with many prominent enterprises in Kansas City. Mr. N. McAlpine, 
Treasurer, is now, and has been for the past fifteen years, a resident of Wyandotte, 
Kansas, and is connected with many enterprises there and in Kansas City. Mr. 
Joseph Askins, patentee of the Askins' Improved Radiator, and manager of the 
above association, is a resident of Kansas City. All are gentlemen of extensive 
resources, and are well and favorably known in business circles throughout the 
country. 

Elliot & Whittaker. — Real Estate and Loan Agency; 900 Main Street, 
Room 15. — This business was organized and established in 1885, by Van Matter & 
Orem ; the firm changing in 1886 to Orem & Elliot; and in November, 1887, it 
assumed its present style. Among the real estate and loan agencies this house 
holds an enviable position. From its incipiency it at once took a front rank, and 
easily maintained its position. Its operations are extensive, principally in Missouri 
and Kansas, while men of long residence in this city, possessed of large wealth, 
have gradually learned to intrust their real estate investments and sales to this 
popular and reliable firm. It enjoys an extensive trade in the various popular 
additions, and is loaning large sums on city and farm property. This firm is well 
established in the confidence and favor of a large patronage bestowed by non-resi- 
dents who have made, and are making, investments in the realty of tie most 
progressive city in the entire country. Mr. Elliat is a native of New York, but 
was engaged in the mercantile business for fifteen years in Colony, Kas. He is 
now a resident of Kansas City, where he has been favored with financial success. 
Mr. Whittaker is a native of Ohio, and afterward moved to Colony, Kas., where he 
was a successful pradticing physician for a number of years; and from thence he 
recently came to this city and engaged in his present avocation. 

Crawford & Patterson. — Wholesale and Retail Dealers inFeed;Ofiice 
and Warehouse, Joy and Hickory Streets ; Telephone 887.— This enterprise was 
established in July, 1887, and although of such recent date, has met with deservedly 
great success. The individual members of the firm are Messrs. J. G. Crawford and 
W. M. Patterson. They are practical business men, thoroughly conversant with 
the feed industry, and possess superior facilities for the proper condudl of their 
affairs in providing abundant and healthful food for live stock, in hay, corn, bran 
and oats. Their warehouse facilities are ample and complete, having railroad 
switches at hand for the prompt receipt and shipment of consignments, and teams 
for short distance delivery on local orders. The trade of this house extends to the 
city and its surroundings, and amounts to a generous income upon their investments. 
Mr. J. G. Crawford has been a resident for more than a year. He hails from Illinois, 
and has been an active business man many years. His associate, Mr. W. M. Patter- 
son, has resided in Kansas City ten years; he was also from Illinois, and was 
previously engaged as shipping clerk in this citj-. The success of this enterprise 
is due to the courage and care these gentlemen have exercised in the condud\ of 
their business. Their continued success is assured. 

Kansas City Mutual Accident Association.— James M. Ofiield, 
President; Ed. Coman, Vice-President; J. R. Owens, Secretary and Treasurer; 
James H. Mara, Assistant Secretary; Jackson, Wilkes & Jackson, Consulting Sur- 
geons, New Times Building; Crittenden, McDotigal & Stiles, Attorneys, Delaware 
Block; Home Ofiice, 206 Nelson Building, Corner of Main Street and Missouri 
Avenue. — One of the most important additions to the insurance corporations of the 
West was that made by the incorporation on June 17, 1887, of the Kansas City 
Mutual Accident Association, under the laws of the State of Missouri, and which 
oflfers superior attradlions to those who desire to protect themselves against the 



i'HU Industries of Kansas City. 191 



results of accident. lu the formation of the plans of this company, the lessons of 
all other former experience have been regarded, and an endeavor has been made to 
combine in their policy the most liberal terms, consistent with safety and ability 
to pay whatever losses may be incurred, and although the association only began 
adlive business August 18, 1887, it at once took a foremost place among the institu- 
tions of its kind, and within three months from the beginning of its business had 
written some $4,000,000 in risks. The company is a mutual association upon the 
assessment plan, the number of assessments being limited to six annually, the iirst 
being paj-able two months from date of membership, and thereafter every sixty 
days. No medical examination is required to secure membership in this associa- 
tion, and any person who resides in the United States or the Dominion of Canada, 
from eighteen to sixty years of age, of sound mind and body, in good health and 
of temperate habits is eligible to membership. The company issues the most lib- 
eral policy on earth, pays fifty-two weeks indemnity, and pays $5,000 at death 
resulting from accident, $5,000 for loss of both hands, $5,000 for loss of a hand and 
foot, $5,000 for loss of both feet, $2,500 for loss of one hand, $2,500 for loss of one 
foot, $2,500 for loss of both eyes, and $750 for loss of one eye. The company places 
no restri6lion upon residence, travel or occupation, is under prudent and careful 
management, and promptly and liberally adjusts all claims against it. The 
company has fifty agencies in the State of Missouri and several in Arkansas, 
in which State it has placed a $20,000 bond, entitling it to do business there. 
The officers and directors of the company are prominent and successful busi- 
ness men, the President, Mr. James M. Offield, being a Sedalia capitalist, who 
has recently removed to Kansas City, and is interested very largely, in a 
private way, in real estate in this city. Mr. Owens, the Secretary and Treasurer, 
is a prominent business man of Kansas City, and a gentleman of superior 
attainments and adlive and enterprising methods. Mr. James H. Mara, Assistant 
Secretary, is Master of Transportation of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. The 
Board of Diredlors is composed of Messrs. James M. Offield, Ed. Coman, Joe T. 
Herrington, Richard T. Gentry, J. R. Owens, James Laughlin and James H. Mara. 
Mr. Herrington is the well known railroad man, and largely interested in real 
estate in this city. Mr. Gentry recently came to this city from Sedalia, where he 
has been for some time engaged as bank cashier. Under the direction of these 
prominent men the company is enjoying an adlive business which is steadily 
increasing, and the sagacious methods upon which it is managed and its thorough 
financial reliability, have contributed to secure for it a steadily growing business; 
and although young, the compan}- is already issuing policies at the rate of about 500 
per month. Mr. James L,aughlin is train master on the Wabash Railway. He has a 
large acquaintance, not onh- in railroad circles, but throughout Northwest Missouri, 
and is well known in Kansas City, where he has resided for the past eighteen years. 
Mr. Ed. Coman, the Vice-President of the association, is the Assistant Grand Chief 
Condudlor of the Order of Railway Conductors, and is well and favorably known 
in railroad circles throughout the country. He has been connedled with the Kan- 
sas City, Fort Scott & Gulf and Southern Kansas Railways for the past fifteen years. 
He is a resident of Kansas City, and is known to a large number of its citizens. 
The executive committee consists of James M. Offield, President; J. R. Owens, 
Secretary and Treasurer, and H. W. Gilbert. Mr. Gilbert is a resident of Kansas 
City, is largely interested in real estate and mining investments, and is well known 
to a large number of business men of the city. The executive committee are in 
session daily, and as this is a Kansas City institution, all claims are adled upon at 
once, thus avoiding all delays that usually occur in all other companies. The Kan- 
sas City Mutual Accident Association is a home institution, and is entitled to the 
support of the citizens of this energetic and thriving city. 

W. H. English.— Real Estate Broker; 721 Delaware Street.— This business 
was established May i, 1886, by the firm of English & Son, by whom it was con- 
tinued until September 16, 1887, when the interest of the elder Mr. English was 
purchased by Mr. J. A. Kirkton, after which time, he, with Mr. W. H. English, 
composed the firm, iintil November i, 1887, when the former withdrew and the 
latter has continued the business alone. This is one of the most prominent and 
prosperous of the real estate firms of the city, and has conducted a number of the 
most extensive deals in real estate which have characterized the recent advance in 
interest in Kansas City property. Among other transactions the firm sold Lincoln 



192 The Industries op Kansas City. 



Place, situated on Woodland avenue and Thirty-seventh street, fourteen and a half 
acres in extent, for $60,000, having sold it previously for $40,000, making $20,000 
for the first purchaser, and the aggregate of the transactions of the firm for the 
year approximating $500,000 in value. The close and faithful attention paid by the 
firm to the interests of its clients and the personal supervision of all the details of 
its business, has secured an efficiency in brokerage service, which has commended 
Mr. English to the favor of resident and non-resident investors, and as a conse- 
quence of this merit his business is steadily growing, and the firm enjoys a repu- 
tation. second to none in this department of business in the city. All commissions 
entrusted to his hands are attended to promptly, and his relations with clients are 
at all times of a satisfactory chara6ter. 

J. F. Corle & Son. — Proprietors of Kansas City Oat Meal and Cereal 
Mill ; Eighth and Santa Fe Streets. — This large and all important industry is the 
only one of the kind in the city. The product of the mill has a deservedly high 
reputation, and finds an extensive sale locally and through an outside trade terri- 
tory, embracing the Western States as far as California. Fifty experienced millers 
are emploj'ed on a weekly pay-roll averaging one thousand dollars, and the mill 
itself is a model of system and completeness. Mr. J. F. Corle is a business man 
of tadl and energy. He established the enterprise in March, 1886, and has always 
catered to a constantly increasing trade by supplying his customers with a choice 
and most superior grade of goods. In stock is carried pan dried steel cut oat meal, 
oat sprays, rolled oats, cracked and rolled wheat, pearl barley, graham flour, buck- 
wheat flour, hominy, etc. 

E. C. Dyer & Co. — Live Stock Commission Merchants ; Room 54, Stock 
Exchange Building. — Experienced live stock dealers affirm that there is not another 
house in the whole live stock exchange so eminently qualified for success in its line 
of business as that of E. C. Dyer & Co. This firm was organized in 1875, since 
which time it has pursued a steady course of prosperity. Mr. Edwin C. Dyer is a 
native of St. Paul, Minn., subsequently removing to Kansas City in 1875. He is the 
popular cattle salesman of the firm, and thoroughly practical in that important 
department. Mr. William Epperson, the senior member of the firm, has been a 
resident of Kansas City since 1857, and he is accounted to be one of the oldest and 
best known hog salesman West of the Missouri River. The books of the concern 
are in charge of Joseph Doran, who also keeps a watchful eye over the office aff"airs. 
The house has ample facilities for the care and handling of stock, making liberal 
cash advances on consignments, and insuring prompt net returns on sales of stock. 
A competent force of employes is found about the yards, and every detail of the 
house receives the utmost care and attention, the annual sales amounting to 
upwards of $1,500,000. The trade of the house is mainly in Missouri, Kansas, 
Nebraska, Indian Territory and Texas, receiving occasional consignments from 
other Territory, soon to become its active field of operations. A vnde and diversi- 
fied experience, together with just and methodical business principles, have united 
in an eminent degree to place this house among the foremost of its kind in the 
stock exchange. 

Harrison & Piatt. — Real Estate Brokers; 609 Delaware Street. — This 
industry was established in 1S74, by the present firm, and is now enjoying an 
annual business of $i,coo,ooo; its trade being principally located in the city, while 
they deal largely in addition property, biij'ing and selling same, and loaning money 
on good security. The judicious and careful handling of real estate, both in buy- 
ing and selling, requires men of sound judgment and business ta6l, entrusted as they 
are with a line of business which exceeds in magnitude any other single industry. 
This firm has been in business in this city thirteen years, and in that time has 
built up an enviable reputation. Tliej' attend to all branches of real estate busi- 
ness, pay taxes, collect rents, examine titles, and do a general conveyancing busi- 
ness. Their large experience has given them a thorough knowledge of values, and 
their facilities for learning all the varied opportunities of trade render their ser- 
vices of value to all who have business in this line. They attend faithfully to the 
interest of all their patrons, manifesting great executive ability in all their trans- 
acSlions. Mr. J. S. Harrison, senior member of the firm, is a native of Hamilton 
Count}-, Ohio, read law with Hon. Stanley Matthews, in Cincinnati, came to Kansas 



The Industries of Kansas City. 



193 



jiSfrr^ . 



City in 1872 and engaged in the real estate business with Fisher & Co. Mr. C. B. 
Piatt is a native of Rhode Island, and read law with Judge C. H. Mason, of Can- 
nelton, Ind. He has been a resident of this city since 1868, where he has pradliced 
law, and entered into the real estate business in 1869. The high reputation of this 
firm has been won by reliability and fair representation of all business transactions, 
and it is entitled to the prosperity it has achieved, while at the same time sub- 
serving the public good. 

Nichols & Shepard Company. — Kansas City Branch House, Chas. 
W. Brown, Manager; Vibrator Threshing Machinery; 1323 Hickory Street. — The 

home establishment of thris gigantic enterprise is lo- 
-^^ ~^^ cated at Battle Creek, Mich., having been established 

in 1848, consequently it is one of the oldest houses 
of its line in the United States. It is the largest 
fadlory in the United States devoted exclusivelj^ to 
the manufadture of threshing machines, having a 
capacity for the produ6lion of one engine ever}' two 
hours. A capital stock of $1,000,000 is invested in 
the extensive plant, iucluding the fadlory, sales- 
rooms, warehouses, etc. The company owns and 
operates a railway for their own special business 
from their works in the suburban districSls to the 
railway yards in the city. In their shops and about 
their premises over four hundred men are ernployed, 
and their annual business aggregates $2,500,000, 
with a surplus over and above liabilities of $750,000. 
The ofi&cers of the company as incorporated in 1886, are John Nichols, President; 
David Shepard, Vice-President ; Edwin C. Nichols, Treasurer, and A. A. Ellsworth, 
Secretary ; all residents of Battle Creek, Mich. The Kansas City branch was estab- 
lished in 1880, under the name of Nichols, Shepard & Co., which designation it 
bore until the incorporation of the home company in 1886, when it was changed to 
the present style. Mr. Chas. W. Brown, manager of this branch, is a native of 
Michigan, and served in the employ' of the company eighteen 3'ears prior to remov- 
ing to Kansas City in 1887. The bookkeeper, Mr. C. C. Champion, is also a native 
of Michigan, and has been in the employ of the compan}- five years. The prem- 
ises consist of an elegant four-story building 63)^ x 128 feet in dimensions, a switch 
track in the rear and interior arrangements and facilities adequate to the prosecu- 
tion of their vast business. A competent force of employes, including three com- 
mercial travelers, are required, and an annual business of $300,000 is transadled. 
Their produdls, consisting of " vibrator separators," spur speed horse powers, triple 
gear horse powers, clover hulling attachments, self-grinding tradlion and portable 
engines, find patronage in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Arkansas and Colorado, and 
farther West and South. This is the only branch house in this line located in 




Kansas City. 

Inter State Investment Company.— J. G. Reynolds, President; w. A. 

Bunker, Vice-President; Offices in the Bunker Building, 100 West Ninth Street, 
Rooms 6, 7 and 8. — This company was incorporated in March, 1886, with a capital 
of $100,000, and has become one of the solid and reliable institutions of the city. 
Mr. Reynolds, the President of the company, is of the firm of Trumbull, Reynolds 
& Allen, wholesale seed merchants and manufadlurers, who are one of the old 
established firms of the city, having been in business here some seventeen years. 
Mr. Reynolds himself is a gentleman of large means, who has always had great 
faith in Kansas City, and has evidenced the same by his large investments. At the same 
time he has been careful and conservative in his investments for himself, and those 
who have invested through his company. Mr. Bunker, the Vice-President of the 
company, has also been one of the most successful business men of our city, and is 
a gentlemen of large means. He is President of the Western Newspaper Union, 
one of the proprietors of the Great Western Type Foundr}^ and the owner of the 
large block known as the Bunker Building, and other large and valuable properties. 
The Inter State Investment Co. since its organization, has been one of the most 
successful and careful investors of capital in our cit}-. They were instrumental in 
the organization of the West Side Land and Park Co., the Riverside Improvement 



194 The Industries of Kansas City. 



Co., the Boston Land and Park Co., the Silver Springs Investment Co., the Stover 
Investment Co., who own some $3,000,000 worth of properties that are considered 
the safest investments in the city, with the greatest future before them, all being a 
part of and adjoining the great business center of West Kansas City, with the ele- 
vated railroad and its branches running through thetn. The Inter State Investment 
Co. refer to the American National Bank, and the National Bank of Kansas City, as 
to their manner of doing business and the safety they offer investors. 

Henry & CoatSWOrth Company.— Wholesale Lumber Dealers; Cor- 
ner of Seventeenth and Belle Streets. — Covering an area of four acres of valuable 
city property, the great lumber house of Henry & Coatsworth Co. occupies a leading 
position as one of the most important industries of Kansas Cit5^ A capital stock 
of $200,000 is the basis upon which this company transacts an annual business of 
$350,000, and handles the vast amount of twentj' million feet of lumber annually. 
The company employs forty persons, six of whom are clerks and bookeepers, with 
a weekly salary of four hundred and fifty dollars. This great t nterprise was esta- 
blished by Henry Barker & Co. of Chicago, and Jay Coatsworth of Kansas City in 
1878, who were succeeded by the present corporation in 1885. Mr. J. Coatsworth, the 
President, is a native of Rochester, N. Y., having removed to Kansas City in 1S78. 
He is a gentleman of extensive experience in the lumber industry, having been a 
lumber dealer for a quarter of a century, and he is at the present time President of 
the Ozark Lumber Co. Vice-President F. W. Brown is a native of Jacksonville, 111., 
and more recently of Chicago, 111., but now a resident of Omaha, Neb., where he is 
the company's purchasing agent. Treasurer Geo. W. Henry is a native Kentuckian, 
but has resided for the past twenty years in Chicago, where he is largely interested 
in the cattle industry'. The compan}' has yards located in Kansas City and St. 
Joseph, Mo.; Falls City, Fairburg, Belvidere, Beatrice, Steele City, Jansen and Hebron, 
Neb.; and also at Hiawatha, Sabetha, Hamlin, Robinson, Severance, Leona, Hollen- 
berg, Oneida, Axtell and Bern in the State of Kansas. White and yellow pine are 
the specialties of the company, and are kept on hand in large stock and of the best 
quality. 

J. E. Hoopes. — Real Estate ; Room i. Alamo Building, Northwest Corner 
of Seventh and Delaware Streets. — This enterprise had its inception in February, 
1887, through Messrs. Rhodes and Hoopes, but changed to its present style Novem- 
ber ist of the same year. Mr. Hoopes deals in city and suburban real estate. In 
the latter he controls the sale of property in the popular additions to the city, 
notably. East Hampton, on Independence avenue; the Summit, located on Brook- 
lin avenue; Park, on Olive street, between Twenty-Sixth and Twenty-Seventh streets; 
and Norwood, located, first station on Dummy Line west of Independence. Thus 
it will appear that Mr. Hoopes is prepared to transadl a heavy business. He hails 
from Pennsylvania, but has been a resident of Kansas City upwards of eleven 
years, and was formerly connected with the house of Askew Brothers, wholesale 
leather and saddlery, as their manager and buyer, for ten years. His continued 
success in this line is assured, as he possesses in an eminent degree business 
sagacity, and is well and favorabh' known in commercial circles at home and 
abroad. Mr. Hoopes makes a specialty of investing and loaning capital for Eastern 
parties. 

Kansas City Paper Company.— H. C. Bradley, President; 533-535 
Delaware Street. — Among the various mercantile enterprises of Kansas City that 
serve to enhance her rapid increase in population, and indicate her high standing 
as a commercial metropolis, by anticipating every demand of trade industry and 
social conveniences, the paper industry plays a most important part. The steady 
development of the paper trade here, assuredly deserves more than a passing 
notice. Foremost among the houses engaged in this line is the Kansas City Paper 
Co. The principal portion of the trade of this company is located in Missouri, 
Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Arizona and Texas, and employs a competent force of 
traveling men constantly on the road in the interests of the business. They do a 
jobbing trade mainly. The stock carried is larger and more diversified than is 
usualh- found in W^estern houses of this kind, and comprises fine writing, news and 
book papers, printers' stock, envelopes, etc., wrapping, roofing, building and car- 
pet papers, twines, paper bags and straw board, and in fadl every article kindred to 



The Industries of Kansas City. 195 



the business, aud usually in demand by the trade. The building occupied for 
business and warehouse purposes, is eligibly located at 533 and 535 Delaware street, 
in the business center of the city, and is in dimensions 50x125 feet, and four stories 
in height. The premises are commodious, and equipped with every modern conve- 
nience required in the expeditious receipt and shipment of goods, and the efficient 
condu6l of the business. The success of this enterprise is due to energy and 
commercial sagacity in the management of its affairs, and the honorable business 
methods employed in every transaction with its host of patrons. A more successful 
career in business is seldom observed in the annals of trade, and a promising 
future awaits the Kansas Cit}- Paper Co. 

Hoffmann & Fussell. — Real Estate, Loans and Investments; Room i, 
Beal's Building, Northwest Corner of Ninth and Wyandotte Streets. — This enter- 
prise had its origin here in the spring of 1885, Messrs. George Hoffmann and Evan 
A. Fussell associating themselves in business for the purposes of dealing generally 
in real estate, loaning money on approved real estate security, and investing capital 
for parties at home and abroad. Their methods in business have met with the 
approval of a numerous patronage in the city and all through the States of Missouri 
and Kansas. They own largely, and are sole agents for the sale and transfer of 
the following properties : South Windsor, Boston Heights, Ackerman Place, Du- 
quesne Heights, Ogleba}- Place and River View additions to the city, besides con- 
siderable business and residence property within the city proper. Their success 
has been commensurate with the care and business sagacity exercised in all their 
transactions which have been charaClerized at all times with the greatest justice 
towards their clients. Mr. George Hoffmann is a Virginian by birth and education ; 
has been a resident of this city seven years. Mr. Evan A. Fussell is a native of the 
old Bay State, and has resided here upwards of fifteen years. Both gentlemen stand 
high in social as well as business circles of the Gate City. 

Kansas City Lime Co. — Manufacturers of White Lime, and Dealers in 
Cement, Plaster, Hair and Fire Brick; Office and Warehouse, 1210 to 1220 St. Louis 
Avenue, Corner of Mulberry Street. — This is one of the flourishing enterprises of 
Kansas City, and was established upon the corner of Sixth and May streets in 1879. 
It was organized under the name of the Kansas City Lime and Cement Company, 
under which it continued to do business until 1887, when it was incorporated with a 
capital of twenty-five thousand dollars, and changed its location to 1210 to 1220 St. 
Louis Avenue, becoming known as the Kansas City Lime Company. The office 
and works comprise a one-story brick building 100x125 ^^^^ in dimensions. 
Twenty-five men are employed, while the works have an annual business capacity of 
$100,000. Besides the manufacture of the best quality of lime, the concern makes 
a specialty of manufacturing cement and plaster, the latter being the produCt of 
the Blue Rapids Plaster Works, of Blue Rapids, Kas. The trade of the house is 
throughout the States of Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Colorado, with an accum- 
ulating business in other States of the South and West. The proprietors of this 
enterprise are business men of the highest type, and the acquisition of their line 
of industry to the commercial interests of Kansas City, is one of the many marks 
of improvement and progress. 

Harris Brothiers Brick Company. — ManufaClurers ot Building and 
Front Brick; Office and Yard, Corner of Washington and Fourth Streets. — This 
industry was established in 1884 by F. W. McLaughlin, but the present firm, com- 
posed of A. L. Harris and E. I. Harris, took control of it in February, 1887. They 
have a capacity for making thirty thousand bricks per day; they employ about 
thirty men and their weekly pay roll foots up from |6oo to $700. They make a 
specialty of building and front brick, and their trade is large and profitable, being 
one of those industries upon which the young great city is constantly calling for 
materials to build its towering walls and its beautiful residences. Their yard covers 
two acres of ground, and the}- have all the latest improved machinery essential to 
manufacture, upon a large scale, their superior and much sought for produCt. Messrs. 
A. L. & E. I. Harris are both natives of Missouri, and have resided in Kansas City 
since 1881. They w^ere formerly in the coal and feed business. Both are practical, 
pushing business men, and their bricks are well known and are highly appreciated 
in the market. 



196 The Industries op KIansas City. 



Hedman & Whitney. — Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Coal; Office and 
Scales, 1410 Union Avenue. — This enterprising firm is composed of E. Hedman 
and C. S. Whitney, who formed themselves into co-partnership in 1886, establishing 
the present house, in which a considerable capital is invested, as the firm has the 
exclusive control of a large coal mine in Mayview, Mo., besides handling the pro- 
du6ls from four other mines, situated in different portions of the country. The 
firm's office and scales are located at 1410 Union avenue, near the side track of one 
of the trunk lines, where every facility for the business is available. The capacity 
of this establishment is 1,000 cars annually, and its yearly business amounts to 
$50,000. E. Hedman is a native of Sweden who came to America some thirty years 
since, and settling in Keokuk, la., where he engaged in the hotel business for 
several years, removing thence to Kansas City, and finally to Riverview, Kas., 
where he has resided during the last two years. C. S. Whitney is a native of New 
York, and has been a resident of Kansas City since 1880, prior to which time he 
resided in Chicago for twenty years. During his residence in that city he was 
engaged as a commercial traveler, for eighteen years, for a prominent wool, hide 
and fur house. Both gentlemen are business men of long experience, and their 
prospedls for the future are bright and promising. 

Berkey & Springer. — Real Estate Brokers ; 121 West Sixth Street; Tele- 
phone 20P3. — This reliable agency was established in 1880, under the firm name of 
J. L. Berkey & Co., Mr. Springer associating himself in 1887. Mr. Berkey was 
formerly connedted with the real estate firm of Marty, Arnold & Co., for one year, 
thereby acquiring valuable experience in the matter of quoting values and placing 
real property upon the market to the very best advantage. Mr. Springer was 
formerly senior member of the firm of Springer & Craige, real estate brokers, Phil- 
adelphia, Pa., where he was engaged in the business for several years. The firm 
are the sole agents for the Fern Heights property, and the beautiful addition known 
as Lorenwald, affording the grandest view of any addition in Kansas City, every lot 
being covered with shade trees. Street cars pass within a few blocks, and its close 
proximity to the Southwest Boulevard, and to the great business of the West Bot- 
toms, makes it desirable, either as a profitable investment or a pleasant home site. 
These properties are in great favor with purchasers, and are being rapidly taken up. 
The honorable methods of this firm in all their business transa6tions have won for 
them the respedt and confidence of those seeking safe investments, and has in- 
creased their lists of properties for sale and exchange to large proportions. Parties 
desiring eligible homes and unequaled business sites, would do well to call at their 
office before making investments elsewhere. 

E. S. W. Drougllt & Co.— Wholesale Dealers in Baled Hay; Office and 
Warehouse, Corner of Nineteenth and Wyoming Streets. — The great and succesful 
specialty of this house is in handling baled hay exclusively. They do a larger busi- 
ness in this line than any similar industry of Kansas City, and enjoy the highest 
respedl and confidence of an extensive trade circle. Six men are here given em- 
ployment; the capital invested is about $25,000; the storage capacity is equal to 1,000 
tons, and the annual sales reach $75,000. These, in substance, are figures that speak 
for themselves and exemplify what honorable and intelligent management will do. 
Mr. E. S. W. Drought is a resident of Wj^andotte. His name is prominently linked 
with many of the foremost enterprises of Kansas City, and as a political leader he 
is well known throughout this portion of the country. He is native of Wisconsin, 
and he has filled the many public positions of trust tendered him, with honor to 
himself and great pride to his associates. Mr. Drought has been both sheriff and 
treasurer of Wyandotte, and for six years was a member of the legislature. Mr. F. 
C. Whipple has been a resident of Wyandotte seventeen years. He is a New Yorker 
by birth, and previous to the establishment of the above enterprise in 1881, he was 
engaged as a contra6tor and builder. He built the United States Soldiers' Home, 
at Fort Iveavenworth, Kansas ; the County Court House, at Wyandotte, and many 
other public and government strucftures. 

Hauber Brothers. — Manufadlurers and Dealers in Staves, Heading and 
Hoops; Factory and Office, Corner of Fourth and James Streets.^The firm of 
which Jose and Frank Hauber are the individual members, was established January, 
1887, although the house had its inception in 1885, in the person of Benj. F. Horn, 



Thk Industries of Kansas City, 



197 



who was succeeded in 1886 by Messrs. Horn and Hauber, who where in turn suc- 
ceeded by the present firm. The factory is situated at the corner of Fourth and 
James streets, consisting of a two-story cooper shop, 30x75 in dimensions, fully 
equipped with the most modern facilities for the prosecution of their business. 
The services of fifteen adroit workmen are required in the advancement of the 
work, and the products of the concern amount to from six to seven hundred barrels 
per day. The trade is local, and now begins to extend into other States. The producfls 
consist of flour, meal, oat meal, cement and hominy barrels. Besides these the 
firm carry in stock elm cured head linings and cooper tools. Messrs. Jose and 
Frank Hauber are natives of Buffalo, N. Y., beginning in this business in early 
manhood, and pursiiing it eighteen years. The brothers also have a branch fadlory 
in Lawrence, Kansas, where Frank Hauber now resides. The interests of both 
concerns are mutually subserved by the personal presence of one of the firm, and 
their business is rapidly increasing. 

M. Downey. — Box Factory and Planing Mill; Nineteenth and "Wyoming 
Streets. — In skill and industrial enterprise Kansas City compares favorably with 

many of the older cities in the coun- 
try. Through her situation and un- 
paralleled facilities she invites the 
best elements from" the industrial 
and commercial classes of great 
Eastern trade centres, which are to a 
certain extent overtaxed in provid- 
ing fields for new enterprises and en- 
couraging the ready will and skilled 
hand of the mechanic and artisan. 
Among those that have sought new 
fields for such courage and enter- 
prise is Mr. M. Downey, who founded 
this important industry in the 
spring of 1879, coming here from 
Chicago in June of that year, with 
but a paltry sum of money in his 
pocket. " Enough only," as he per- 
sonally remarked, " to defray the ex- 
pense of one week's board," but possessed of that indomitable courage and endur- 
ance that characterizes the young American who follows the lamented Horace 
Greeley's advice, (" Go West, young man "). Mr. Downey's enterprise has met with a 
deservedly great success. At the oiitset the business was condudled under the firm 
name of Downej^ & Inman, and changed to its present designation in 1887. There 
is now $20,000 involved in the enterprise. The former location of the business was 
at Third street and Broadway, but for a more eligible and convenient site it was re- 
■ moved to Nineteenth and Wyoming streets in October, 1887. The building and 
plant consist of a structure 35 x 100 feet, two-stories in height and completely 
equipped with every essential modern machine and appliance for the prompt and 
expeditious execution of the work, among which may be found Donnelly & Ding- 
lar's latest improved re-saw machine, and other new devices used in turning out 
intricate work. A force of twenty-five to thirty expert hands and helpers are in 
the employ of Mr. Downey. The facftory capacity is 3,000 boxes per diem. The 
shipping facilities are expedited by a convenient railroad switch connecting the 
establishment with all the trunk lines in the city. In short, this is the most complete 
box fa<5tory in the West, and the largest in the city. The produdl of this fatlqry 
consists in the manufadture of all kinds of wooden boxes, dovetailed, sliding covers, 
chests, etc. Mr. Downey's specialty is in box printing, whereby labeling, marking, 
etc., is done in elegant style directly upon the wooden sides of the boxes by patent 
process. The trade extends all through the city and tributary territory in the 
States of Missouri and Kansas, and is steadily invading new fields, the result of 
skill in honest workmanship and the exercise of corredl business methods. 

Newton Evans. — Real Estate and Loan Broker; Room 5, Hall Building, 
Corner Ninth and Walnut Streets. — This successful and enterprising business man 
established this business in 1885, and is one of the best known real estate men in 




The Industries of Kansas City. 



the city, both because of his abilities and the large amount of trade passing through 
his office, and because of the additions which he has made to the cit}', many of the 
finest business blocks and handsome residences in the place having been built by 
him. He has been a resident of Kansas City for seven 3-ears, and his knowlege of 
the propert}' in all locations, coupled with his pra6tical experience as a builder, 
makes him one of the best and ablest real estate men that intending investors can 
consult in the city; and he is a reliable and honorable as he is wide awake. He 
makes a specialty of dealing in city and suburban property and Kansas and Mis- 
souri farms. Mr. Evans wasformerl}- President of The Building & Planing Mill Co., 
and is a native of Cincinnati, O. 

M. Hofmann. — Wholesale Dealer in Whiskies and Importer of Wines and 
Liquors ; 319 West Fifth Street. — The oldest liquor house in the Missouri Valley is 
that of Mr. M. Hofmann, by whom the business was established in 1S57, and who, 
throughout the thirty years of his adlive connettion with the business, has held 
the confidence and patronage of dealers in the territory tributary to Kansas City 
by the superior quality of his stock and the uniformly fair and accurate methods 
upon which his business is conducted. He occupies a three-story and basement 
building 25x160 feet in dimensions, where he carries a large and complete stock of 
the finest brands of Kentucky and rye whiskies, making a specialty of the " Mc- 
Brayer," "Anderson County," "Hermitage" and "Old Crow." He is also proprie- 
tor of the Nelson County distillery, in the Sixth Distridt of Kentucky. In addition 
to whiskies, Mr. Hofmann carries a verj' large and completely diversified stock of 
every description of foreign brandies, gins, liquors, cordials, etc., as well as Rhine 
and Moselle wines, champagnes and all the most famous vintages of France and 
Germany. Mr. Hofmann gives employment to a full staff of clerks and assistants, 
in addition to which he has three cit}^ salesmen and six travelers, who represent the 
house in a trade territory embracing Western Missouri, Colorado, New Mexico, 
Montana, Dakota, Texas, Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. The long exper- 
ience of Mr. Hofmann in the business enables him to sele6t his stock from the best 
goods in the line, and he is prepared to fill all orders for every description of 
wines and liquors in the most prompt and satisfadlory manner. 

Kansas City Safe Deposit and Savings Bank.— H. P. Churchill, 
President; W. P. Moores, Vice-President; H. P. Stimson, Second Vice-President; 
E. C. Saltley, Cashier; Northwest Corner of Sixth and Delaware Streets. — No 
character of business institution exerts so vast or so beneficial an influence upon 
the prosperity of a city as well regulated savings banks. These institutions off'er 
opportunities for the exercise of thrift and the laying by of a provision for the 
time of need, and are especially beneficial to persons of moderate means. Promi- 
nent among institutions of this character, and the oldest and largest one of the kind 
in Kansas City, is the Kansas City Safe Deposit and Savings Bank, which confines its 
business exclusively to receipt and care of savings deposits and trust funds, and is 
the only savings bank in the city that transacfls no commercial business. The . 
bank opened for business April 15, 1883, from which date up to the time of its 
latest published statement, dated November 15, 1887, it had received the savings of 
13,238 depositors, and has paid them as interest $50,273.67, its total resources being 
$1,014,636.07. Owing to the rapid growth of their business they will increase their 
capital to $200,000.00 on January i, 1888, and on May i, 1888, will remove to the 
American Bank Building, now being eredled on the corner of Eighth and Delaware 
streets. They will occupy the full first floor. This building will be absolutely 
fire proof and the new vaults will be of the most modern construdlion, and will in 
strength, convenience and elegance be surpassed by no vaults in the West. The 
funds of the bank are loaned only upon real estate, approved collaterals and choice 
securities, and its methods of dealing are as favorable to depositors as they can be, 
consistent with safe banking. The bank receives savings deposits of one dollar 
and upward, and pays 4 per cent, interest thereon to all depositors having money 
on deposit one or more full calendar months, while upon time certificates on 
deposit 4 per cent, (per annum) is allowed for three months, 5 per cent, for six 
months and 6 per cent, for one year. All interest not drawn out becomes part of 
the principal, and draws interest the same as the deposit, thus giving the depositor 
compound interest. The management of the bank is in safe and reputable hands, 
its officers and dire6lors all being s iccessful and prominent business men. Presi- 



The Industries of Kansas City. 199 



dent Churchill, in addition to his position at the head of this corporation, is the 
Vice-President of the American National Bank of Kansas City, and is conneAed 
with a number of financial institutions in Kansas, as well as many important local 
enterprises. Mr. W. P. Moores, Vice-President of the bank, is of the firm of W. P. 
Moores & Son, boots and shoes, and is also a director of the American National 
Bank, The Union Investment Co., of Kansas City, and many other leading business 
corporations. Mr. H. P. Stimson, the Second Vice-President, is Cashier of the 
American National Bank, and is a banker of long experience, and in addition to 
this enterprise, is largely identified with numerous others of local importance. 
Mr. E. C. Sattley, the cashier of the bank, is a banker of long experience, and by 
his close attention to the details of the business, and thoroughly accurate methods, 
has largely contributed to the present gratifying condition of the bank. In addi- 
tion to the banking business, the company has a safe deposit department. The 
safe deposit vaults are constructed of the very best "chrome" steel, and are abso- 
lutely fire and burglar proof, besides being guarded day and night. The}- are 
fitted up with small safes designed for money, bonds, wills, deeds, abstracts, jew- 
elry, etc., and are rented at $10 and upward per annum. Every safeguard which 
experience has approved is thrown around these vaults, which offer an unsurpassed 
medium for the protection of valuables. In addition to the ofiicers above enum- 
erated, the Kansas City stockholders of the bank embrace the following well known 
and successful business men: J. S. Chick, C. J. White, F. W. Shulte, W. W. Ken- 
dall, O. H. Dean, William Bales, E. L. Martin, J. F. Richards, P. O'Rourke, J. H. 
Ramsey, C. A. Brockett, F. O. Wheeler, F. N. Vindquest, E. E. Parker, E. H. Web- 
ster, S. H. McCutcheon and Brown Brothers. For the accommodation of the large 
number of laboring people residing or working in the " bottoms" they have estab- 
lished a branch of their bank at the northwest corner of Union avenue and Mul- 
berry street. Mr. W. G. Eads is the manager of the branch bank, and is a man of 
long experience in banking, and has the utmost confidence of the people. With 
the present excellent management of the Kansas City Safe Deposit and Savings 
Bank we predi(5l for it continued prosperity, and can cheerfully recommend it as 

worthy of the patronage of all. 

* 

L. T. Herndon. — Real Estate and Loans; Room 419, Alamo building. Cor- 
ner of Seventh and Delaware Streets. — One of the adlive enterprising and success- 
ful real estate dealers of Kansas City is Mr. L. T. Herndon, who established his office 
in 1885, and now controls a trade throughout Missouri, Kansas, Illinois and Iowa, 
amounting to $100,000 annuall}-, and enjoys a reputation which gives assurance for 
still greater prosperity in the future. Special attention is given to renting houses, 
collecting rents and a large amount of city addition and farm property is held for 
sale at desirable terms. The property in the addition known as Regent's Park, 
located on Troost avenue, is in the center of the most desirable tracts in the city. 
Among the more important late sales made by this gentleman, may be mentioned 
that of a lot 50 x 100 feet on East Fifth street for $6,000 ; one on Walnut and Nine- 
teenth streets for $13,000; one on Main for $32,500, and others of more or less mag- 
nitude. L. T. Herndon is a Kentuckian by birth, but has lived in Kansas City 
since 1880. Prior to establishing his present business, he was in the employ of 
Hammerslough & Co., clothiers. 

James M. Love & Co. — Druggists and Pharmacists; 546 Main Street. — 
In the remarkable and wholly unprecedented growth of Kansas City every avenue 
of trade and commerce seems to have been duly supplied with that all important 
fa6tor — a leading house. In the drug trade it is a generally acknowledged fadt that 
the firm of James M. Love & Co. are representative and foremost. They have been 
established ten years and control the confidence of the entire community. They 
make a specialty of surgical instruments, and a glance at this stock will assure any 
casual observer that they are not surpassed or even equalled in this particular 
direcftion. Orders from phj'sicians have their especial attention, and prices are as 
low as in any of the Eastern cities. They make a specialty also of fitting trusses, 
and the public should know that a truss improperly applied is a direct injury. The 
best physicians of Kansas Citj' send all their patients to this establishment to be 
fitted when a truss is needed. Five capable and experienced clerks are in the 
employ of the house. The general arrangement of the store is a perfect system of 
neatness and decorum. Plate glass front windows, and seventy-five feet of show 



200 The Industries op EIansas City, 



cases, are utilized in which to display goods. The building is three stories high, 
20XII0 feet in dimensions, supplied with all modern conveniences and completely 
stocked with the purest lines of drugs, also surgical instruments and trusses. 
Messrs. James M. and Charles E. Love are pra6lical, experienced druggists and 
pharmacists of the highest repute in this city. They are natives of Virginia, and 
for nine years previous to their removal here, in 1878, ttiey were engaged in the 
drug business at Meridian, Miss. They carry a complete line of Christmas and 
other holiday novelties in season, and a large proportion of their goods are 
imported direcft. 

George A. Houghton. — Merchant Tailor ; 560 Main Street. — This mer- 
cantile industry was established in 1868 by Messrs. Houghton & Mills, but in 1873 
Mr. Mills withdrew from the firm, and in February, 1885, Mr. Houghton sold out 
and entered into the gents' furnishing and ready made clothing business. In 
September, 1886, he engaged in merchant tailoring exclusively, and has now 
twenty-five employes conne6led with the house, with a capacity of thirty suits per 
week. The principal portion of his trade is confined to the city and country sur- 
rounding. This house carries an extensive stock of goods, a greater portion of 
which is imported, and Mr. Houghton's undivided time and attention is employed 
in acquainting himself with the very latest styles and improved methods of man- 
ufadluring gentlemen's clothing. To this energetic oversight, combined with a 
perfect knowledge of the business, as well as to his untiring efforts to please his 
customers, may be attributed his enviable success in his present avocation. Mr. 
Houghton is a native of Vermont, and came to Kansas City in 1866, and engaged in 
the tailoring business, and is now one of the most successful artists in this pro- 
fession to be found in the city; always reliable, and guarantees satisfaction in all 
work entrusted to him. 

B. Estill. — Real Estate and Loan Agency ; Room 13, Delaware Blcsck, South- 
west Corner of Seventh and Delaware Streets. — This enterprise was established in 
1887, by the firru of Estill Brothers, but has since changed its location and firm 
name as above stated. It enjoys a perfedlly satisfactory trade, which is located 
principally in Missouri and Kansas. The firm of Estill Brothers at once advanced 
to a foremost position, which, under its present management, it has maintained 
with a steadily increasing prosperity to the present time. It takes charge of every 
description of real property, improved and unimproved, negotiates loans and 
efiFedls mortgages in large or small sums, where the security is beyond question, 
and attends to all the details of a legitimate real estate and loan agency business. 
Mr. B. Estill, in connexion with his brother, Mr. R. G. Estill, owns the Estill 
Brothers' first addition to Kansas City; the Estill resurvey of Block 82, East Kan- 
sas City; Estill addition to Independence, Mo.; and Estill Heights, of Lexing- 
ton, Mo., all of which have been platted and are under the control of the present 
house. He also controls other city and addition property — residence and busi- 
ness — together with a large amount of farming real estate all over the United 
States. This extensive trade has been earned by the application of superior attain- 
ments and fidelity to every interest i'n trusted to his care. Mr. Estill is a native of 
Missouri, but has been a resident of Kansas City twelve years. He was formerly 
connedled with his brother in the live stock business here, and at present he is a 
diredlor and stockholder in the Eledlric Railroad. 

Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States.— 

Office, Room 210 Alamo Building, Corner of Seventh and Delaware Streets ; J. C. Gant, 
General Manager. — This societ}' was organized and established in 1859. The assets 
of this institution amount to the enormous sum of $80,000,000, surplus $20,000,000. 
The annual business of this associatien throughout the United States is $111,000,000, 
while that of the Kansas Cit}- office amounts to $2,000,000 annually. The business 
of the Kansas City office extends principally through Missouri and Kansas, though 
it is fast gaining ground in other Western States. The position occupied to-day by 
the Equitable Assurance Society should give peculiar satisfa6li'on to all who are 
identified with it, for its success has been phenominal, and its business has exceeded 
that of every other companjf, and now amounts to over $100,000,000. The twenty- 
seventh annual statement shows that the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the 
United States is to-day the largest, strongest and most prosperous institution of 



I 



The Industries of Kansas City. 201 



its kind in the world, and this exalted position has been attained within a period of 
twenty-seven years. Who then can estimate the possibilities for the future ? Mr. 
J. C. Gant, General Manager, is a native of Kentuck}-, where he was formerly 
engaged in the commission business, but he has been a resident of Kansas City 
for the past two years, and during that time has won the confidence and esteem of 
all with whom he has had business transadtions, whilst the Equitable under his 
management has been successful to a degree beyond anticipation. 

G. Gravez & Co. — The French Ostrich Feather D^-ers ; Rooms 8 and 10 
Times Building, 812 Main Street. — Mr. Gaspard Gravez is a native of Paris, in 
which cit)^ he had worked at his trade for eight years, prior to coming to New 
York twelve years ago. In the latter city he resumed work at his trade imtil 1883, 
when he came to Kansas City and established his shop, which is the only one 
exclusively devoted to this particular line of business west of New York. Mr. 
Gravez is an expert workman in his biisiness as a dyer of ostrich feathers, and 
there is no shade of color that he does not know and cannot make. This firm re- 
dyes old feathers equal to new and in anj^ color, cleans and curls feathers to order, 
and carries on hand a large and complete stock of new white raw feathers, which it 
is prepared to dye to any desired shade. As a consequence of the superior man- 
ner in which work is done here, a trade, which extends to all parts of the country, 
frequently receiving large orders for work in this line from Chicago and San Fran- 
cisco, and gives employment to four hands, who work under Mr. Gravez' exper- 
ienced supervision. The firm refers to Roll, Thayer, Williams & Co., and B. Lieb- 
stadter & Co., and all the leading millinery houses of the city as to its efficiercy, 
and those having any description of work in this line can pl§ce it in the hands of 
G. Gravez & Co., with the assurance that it will be done in tHe most thorough and 
efficient manner known to the art. This firm contemplates establishing a fa6lory 
in the near fixture, which will be the only one of its kind West of New York. Mr. 
W. T. Johnston, who is a recent accession to the firm, is a native of Ireland, and 
is largely interested in real estate in Kansas City. 

Harmon, Rugg & Co. — Wholesale and Retail I^umber, Lath, Shingles, 
Sash, Doors, Blinds, Etc. ; Main Office, 620 Wyandotte Street. — ^John C. Harmon and 
Fred. O. Rugg came here from Chicago three and a half years ago, buying the 
stock and business of one of the largest and oldest firms here. Their trade has been 
constantly increasing, and with their experience and ample capital thev intend to 
increase their jobbing trade very materially the coming year. The trade will at all 
times find them in position to give bottom prices for all grades of lumber, or fur- 
nish estimates for I'arge or small bills promptly. They invite inspection of their 
grades, which they aim to make the best in this market. Yellow pine is one of 
their specialties. With their extensive connexions, with mills both North and 
South, they are able at all times to furnish special bills of any size promptly. 
Their list of contracts the past year include manv of the largest ever filled in the 
West. 

Great Western Type Foundry. — Electrotypers and Stereotypers ; S. 
A. Pierce, Manager ; 324 West Sixth Street. — In most cities their progress is due 
more to the success of manufadtories than to an equal amount of capital invested in 
commerce; hence, in describing the industries of Kansas City, it is particularly desir- 
able to impress upon the mind of the reader the magnitude of the productive indus- 
tries of the city, prominent among which is the Great Western Type Foundrj^ one of 
the most firmly established institutions in the city. This industry was organized 
and established in 1881, and is a branch house of Barnhart Brothers & Spindler, of 
Chicago, of which there are also branches in St. Louis and St. Paul. The branch 
department of this great house located here in Kansas City occupies the main 
floor and basement of the spacious and substantial four-story building mentioned 
above, with an area of 25x80 feet. It is complete in every particular, and embraces 
everything pertaining to popular inventions adapted to these lines of industry, 
while it employs nine efficient workmen. It deals in all kinds of printing types, 
including fanc}- aad unique designs in tj-pe faces, prepared to meet the demands of 
job printing offices, together with a superior quality of copper mixed type ; it also 
has a complete lin^ of cuts, slugs, dashes, rules, circles, ovals, leads, metal and 
wood furniture, and, in faet, every article connedted with the printing business. 



202 The Industries of Kansas City. 



It is also special agent for Babcock and Cranston power presses, and for printers' 
supplies — ^job presses, paper cutters, inks, bronzes, etc. The business of this house 
is of immense proportions, covering Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, New 
Mexico, in fact, all the Western States. It is one of the largest establishments of 
its kind in this se6lion, and in facilities, quality of goods, and extent of trade, is 
unsurpassed in the country. All the officers of this house are men who understand 
thoroughly the business, and are well known in business circles as responsible and 
trustworthy, and who well maintain the high standing of the company. 

Preston & Robinson.— Real Estate Brokers ; Room 506 Alamo Building ; 
Seventh and Delaware Streets. — This firm, of which Messrs. A. W. Preston and 
I. D. Robinson are the individual members, was recently formed, both of the gen- 
tlemen composing the firm being experienced business men, who have made a suc- 
cess of other pursuits. They carrj' on a prosperous business as brokers in real 
estate, and are also owners of a large amount of valuable property in the dififerent 
parts of the city on the east and west sides, which they are prepared to offer at 
rates presenting unsurpassed inducements for investment. They possess a ttior- 
ough and accurrate knowledge of values present and piospe<5live of property in 
Kansas City and it-^ vicinity, and closely attend to every commission placed in their 
hands, being thoroughly reliable in all their dealings and having connections 
which enable them to transadl business in connexion with real estate to advan- 
tage, making a specialty of the exchange of property. Those having anj' busi- 
ness to transadl in relation to real estate can find no better medium for having it 
attended to with promptness and zealous attention to their interests than by in- 
trusting it to this firm. 

E. J. Harding. — Tobacco Manvifa6lurers' Agent; Office and Wareroom, 
1306 Union Avenue. — This enterprise had its inception in 1885 with the encouraging 
prospecSl of success. Mr. E. J. Harding is a young business man well adapted to, 
and thoroughly conversant with every phase of the tobacco trade in this se6lion. 
He employs one assistant, (a solicitor,) who visits the various points at which trade 
can be established. A very considerable business js done at the following impor- 
tant points : Omaha, St. Joe, Leavenworth and Atchison. All grades, and the var- 
ious brands of smoking and chewing tobaccos are handled, among which may be 
mentiored : " Sweet Lotus," smoking and chewing, " Mule Ear," fine cut chewing, 
"Topsey," granulated smoking and "Earth" twist chewing. Mr. Harding has 
been a resident of Kansas City since 1872. He is a Kentuckian by birth, and 
aside from his present business, is associated with his father, Mr. W. L. Harding, 
in the merchandise brokerage business, under the firm name of W. L. Harding, 
Son & Co., a prosperous and reliable commercial organization. 

First National Bank of Kansas City, Kas.— I. D. Wilson, Presi- 
dent; D. R. Emmons, Vice-President; James D. Husted, Second Vice-President; 
William Albright, Cashier; Sixth Street and Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, 
Kas. — This business had its inception in 1882, when the Bank of Wyandotte was 
opened for business, and continued under that style until the spring of 1887, when 
organization was effected undt r the national banking act of the First National 
Bank of Kansas City, Kas., which incorporated with an authorized capital stock of 
$100,000. Its last published statement is dated October 5, 1887, at which time $90,- 
000 of the capital stock had been paid in, and there were on hand iindivided profits 
of $7,009.02, and the total resources of the bank amounted to $342,114.29. Since 
the publication of that statement the remainder of the entire capital of $100,000 
has been paid in. The bank condudls all the departments usually carried on by a 
national bank, loans money on approved personal securit}-, discounts first-class 
commercial paper, issues exchange on the leading foreign and domestic cities, 
makes collections, and receives the accounts of corporations, firms and indi- 
viduals. The business of the bank is conducted upon safe and conservative 
methods, and it holds a high place in the confidence of the citizens of the consoli- 
dated city. Mr. I. D. Wilson, the President of the bank, has resided in Kansas 
City, Kas., since 1881, and soon after his arrival here he organized and established 
the Bank of Wyandotte, which was the predecessor of this bank, and in addition to 
his position as its President, he is also President of the Wyandotte Coal Co., and 
. connedled with many other important business enterprises. Mr. D. R. Emmons, 



The Industries op Kansas City. 203 



the Vice-President of the bank, has resided in Kansas City, Kas., for the past fif- 
teen years, and was formerly County Clerk for Wyandotte County. He is now 
prominently connedted with the Union Preserve Works Co., of Kansas City, and 
other leading enterprises. Mr. James D. Husted, Second Vice-President, is ,an 
extensive real estate dealer, and in addition to his conne6lion with this bank, is 
President of the Fidelity Investment Co., President of the Fidelity Savings Bank 
and Fidelity Loan & Trust Co., and prominent in many other important business 
concerns. Mr. William Albright, the Cashier of the bank, is well and favorably 
known as one of the most substantial citizens of Kansas City, Kas., and prior to 
embarking in the banking business, was for four years County Treasurer of Wyan- 
dotte County. He has a thorough and pradtical knowledge of banking, and to the 
efficiency with which he discharges his duties the prominent position occupied by 
this bank is largely due. 

Greenlies & Russell. — Merchandise Brokers; 1323 Union Avenue. — This 
enterprise had its inception in 1878, Messrs. J. T. Greenlies and P. R. Russell being 
the individual members of the firm. These gentlemen represent four of the largest 
sugar refineries in the United States, including those of Havemeyer & Elder, of 
New York City, Standard Sugar Refinery, of Boston, and the Louisiana Sugar Re- 
finery of New Orleans, La. They are also sole and general agents for Arbuckle 
Brothers, of New York City, the largest coffee jobbers in the United States, and are 
also agents for Procter & Gamble, of Cincinnati, the largest soap manufadturers in 
the United States. The business of this house covers the largest volume of trade in 
its line of any similar enterprise in the city. The premises occupied for business 
purposes consist of a conveniently located and appropriately appointed two-story 
building, 30X no feet in dimensions, connedting with railroad switches at the rear. 
The trade territory of this concern covers the States of Missouri, Kansas and 
Nebraska, and is rapidly extending to adjacent territory. The volume of business 
transacted by this house amounts to upwards of $2,000,000 annually; and a decid- 
edly encouraging outlook for future success awaits the well directed eff"orLs of these 
gentlemen. Mr. J. T. Greenlies has been a resident upwards of ten years. He is 
from Cincinnati, O., where he was formerly adlively engaged in the same business. 
Mr. C. R. Russell is also from Cincinnati, where he was connedled with the whole- 
sale grocery trade, and has been a resident of this city since 187S. He is also exten- 
sively interested in real estate here. Both gentlemen are eminently qualified by 
experience and education for the proper condudl of this business, and in commer- 
cial, as well as social circles, stand high. 

Enrique Guerra.— Original Spanish Cigar Fadtory ; 119 West Fifth Street. 
— Among the houses that have been greatl}' instrumental in promoting the cigar 
and tobacco trade, that above mentioned stands prominent in this city. This pop- 
ular house has obtained a wide-spread celebrity from the superiority of the cigars 
manufadtured (hand made grades as specialties) thousands being manufadlured 
monthly, a great proportion of which are sold in the city. For due regard to the 
wants and rights of customers, Mr. Gi:erra has a high reputation, and keeps on 
hand a complete assortment of goods in this line ; besides importing diredt for 
wholesale the very best brands on the market. He keeps from thirty to forty hands 
employed, and his business will compare favorably with any house in this line in 
the city. In the manufadlure of these goods he imports his tobacco diredt from 
Cuba. Mr. Enrique Talamano is constantly on the road in the interest of the 
house, and a very extensive trade has been secured throughout Kansas, Missouri 
and Iowa. Mr. E. Guerra is a native of Spain, resided in Cuba as a tobacco planter 
for fifteen years, and has been a resident of this city for three years. He is liberal, 
energetic and straightforward in all his dealings, and has been very successful in 
establishing a profitable business. 

J. A. Walker. — Real Estate, Investment and Rental Agency; Room 323 
Nelson Building; Southeast Corner of Main Street and Missouri Avenue. — This 
institution was established in 1885, and Mr. Walker purchased the entire interest 
November i, 1887. He is now enjoying an annual business of $1,000,000, which is 
constantly increasing. The principal part of the trade is located in the city, but 
Mr. Walker is also making investments in farm property all over the country. 
He makes a special business of dealing in resl estate, owns a considerable amount 



204 'rH:e Industries of Kansas City. 

of city property, and has control of $2,000,000 worth of real estate located in diflFer- 
ent portions of the city, suitable for any and all purposes. He has also a large 
number of fine farms in Missouri and Kansas, which he holds ready to sell or ex- 
change. Mr. Walker is a native of Greene County, Ohio ; is a practical mechanic. 
Left Ohio in 1856, going to Warren County, Illinois, living there ten years, where 
he was employed at his trade. He came West, and settled in Ottawa, Kansas, in 
1886, and engaged in real estate and building. In 1869 he engaged in the stock 
business, buying, raising and selling. He came to Kansas City in 1878, continuing 
the stock business, and was one of the active, leading workers in building up the 
live stock interests of Kansas City, which has now become one of the largest live 
stock markets of the world. Since embarking in the real estate, investment and 
rental business fortune has favored him to a degree beyond his most sanguine 
expectations. 

Western Railway Supply Company.— Louis H. Owens, President ; 
H. E. Dickinson, Secretary and Treasurer; 816 Walnut Street. — This company 
has been doing business in Kansas City for some months, and in January, 
1888, they incorporated, with a paid- in capital of $50,000. They have the agency 
for some seventy manufadlurers of railway appliances, and are filling the same 
needs in Kansas City as houses of the same charadler in the large cities East. 
Railway interests in Kansas City have reached such magnitude that it is ab- 
solutely necessary that the purchasing agents of the various roads centering 
here should be enabled to procure in a convenient market everything for the 
maintenance and operation of their respedlive roads. The Western Railway 
Supply Company can equip a road entire from a locomotive to a spike, and 
while they have not been established for a very long time, they have already 
secured a business of very large magnitude. Both the gentlemen at the head of 
the business have had large experience in railroad matters, and are therefore 
thoroughly fitted for the business in which they are engaged. The manufadluring 
concerns for which they are Western agents are in every case the very best in the 
lines of goods which they represent, and the company is prepared to furnish esti- 
mates for every charadler of appliances required in railroad constru<?:ion and 
operation. 

The Whitman & Barnes Manufacturing Company.— Manufac- 
turers of Mower, Reaper and Harvester Knives, Sickles, Sedlions, Guards, Spring 
Keys, Colters, Agricultural Supplies and Specialties ; Factories, Akron and Canton, 
O., Syracuse, N. ' Y. and St. Catharines, Ont.; Branch House, 1324-1326 West 
Eleventh Street, Kansas City. — One of the peculiarities of an important trade cen- 
ter is the attraction it has for large capital and industrial as well as the best com- 
mercial enterprise. Kansas City has demonstrated its magnetic power in that 
direction to a degree beyond all precedent. The older Eastern houses have availed 
themselves of the opportunities offered by the Gate City's commanding position 
in the commercial world for the disposition of their prodigious accumulations of 
manufadlured articles and machinery. The Whitman & Barnes Manufacftur- 
ing Co. has wisely seledled this point for the establishment ot a depot for the 
sale of their produdl, which is of a kind that is constantly in growing demand in 
the fertile regions of the Great West. This important and colossal industry had 
its inception twenty years ago at Akron, O. Its present official list consists of 
Col. A. L. Cougar, President; Messrs. Geo. Barnes, Chairman; I. C. Alden, Treas- 
urer ; Wm. A. Cox, Assistant Treasurer ; Geo. E. Dana, Secretary and C. E. Sheldon, 
General Superintendent, all gentlemen of high commercial standing and social 
worth. Their pracftical knowledge of every detail of the business has secured for 
them a deservedly great success. The capital involved in the enterprise is $2,000,- 
000, every cent of which is paid up. The trade amounts to many million dollars 
annually, and covers the whole United States and British America. The company 
has branch houses in various parts of the Union and Canada. The one now under 
special notice is the more conspicuous by reason of its position and utility among 
the growing industrial enterprises of our city. It was established in 1887, and at 
the head of the management Col. J. G. Stowe is pre-eminently the right man in the 
right place. He is a native of Providence, R. I. Early in life his tendencies were 
a study of the mechanic arts, in which he has become singularly proficient, having 
held high and responsible positions in rifle factories, locomotive works and other 




The Industries op Kansas City. 205 



important industries. He has also served as United States Inspector of Ammuni- 
tion, and was for a time on staflf duty at Washington, D. C. He is also an inventor 
of no ordinary merit, having devised a method for filling cartridges so effective 
and expeditious that it has been adopted at the United States Arsenals. Over 
twenty other inventions of Col. Stowe's are now in use in this couutry. The busi- 
ness here, under his efficient management, has prospered. A trade from this point 
amounting to $300,000 is secured annually, and covers Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, 
Iowa, Nebraska, Texas, New Mexico, Wyoming and the Indian Territory. Twenty 
men are in the employ. The premises occupied for business purposes consist of 
a substantial five-stor}' and basement building, 50x110 in dimensions, completely 
equipped with every essential modern convenience for the proper conduA of the 
business, including railroad switch connexions with all the trunk lines radiating 
from this point, and a perfedl system prevails in every department of this model 
establishment. This is the only enterprise of its kind west of the Mississippi 
river, and the largest in Kansas City. 

T. W. Cosgroye & Co.— Manufacturers' Agents ; 315 Delaware Street. — 
The head of this firm in twenty years' experience as traveling salesman for several 
of the largest manufafturers of the East, becoming thoroughly 
THE acquainted with the wants of the Western trade, and appreciating 

the disadvantages under which the retail merchant had to labor, 
in that they had to buy too largely in placing orders with the 
\yy/l /^ ^ manufadturers and then pay ruinous prices to jobbers in sizing 
Y V I v^ ^P> conceived the idea of establishing a business of above char- 

acter. They carry at all times a full and complete stock of every- 
thing in their line. In starting they made it a leading feature of 
the business to represent only such firms as had a reputation for 
making honest goods, and so well has this been carried out that no shoddy goods 
are in stock. Those lines that have given the best satisfa6lion, they have stamped 
with their trade mark, and warrant every pair so stamped, and claim that they are 
the best goods on the market for the money. Throughout the large territory the 
" T. W. C. shoe " may be found in all principal establishments. Untiring energy, 
splendid busi ness tact, and honest, courteous treatment, have won for them such favor 
and patronage of the manufa6lurers and merchants, that before the close of the 
second 3'ear of their business existence they are compelled to seek more commo- 
dious quarters, and in consequence have moved into the four-story building, 315 
Delaware street, occupjdng the entire building, where with enlarged facilities and 
stock they expedl to be thoroughly equipped to meet the wants of increasing trade. 

Theodore Winningham & Co. — investors of Capital, Real Estate 
Brokers and Money Loaners ; Northeast Corner of Missouri Avenue and Delaware 
Street ; Room 5. — This firm, of which Messrs. Theodore and T. B. Winningham are 
the individual members, is prominently identified with the real estate interests of 
the city, the members being themselvej owners of a large amount of valuable busi- 
ness and residence property, and having on hand and for sale at all times many 
desirable lots and tracts. The Messrs. Winningham came to Kansas City from 
Mississippi in 1876, and Mr. Theodore Winningham engaged for ten years in his 
profession as a practicing attorney, at the end of that time establishing this busi- 
ness in company with Mr. T. H. Winningham. The thorough and practical knowl- 
edge of real estate values in the city and its suburbs possessed by these gentlemen, 
and the close and accurate attention paid b}- them to every commission placed in 
their hands, has given the firm a prominent place in the confidence of an extensive 
connexion of local and Eastern capitalists, and they are prepared at all times to 
make advantageous investments in city property and Western lands, or to loan 
money in any desired quantity and upon real estate security. Thoroughly accurate 
and systematic in all their dealings and reliable in their methods, the firm enjoys 
a merited prosperity and a position among the leading firms in the line in the 
city. 

Union National Bank. — D. T. Beals, President; Chas. H. V. L,ewis, Cash- 
ier; H.J. Rosencrans, Assistant Cashier; Corner of Ninth and Main Streets. — The 
importance of good banks to the commercial and financial prosperity of a city can 
not be overestimated, and everj* addition to banking facilities which is inaugurated 



2o6 The; Industries of Kansas City. 



by responsible, experienced and honest men, may be regarded as a decided gain. 
Of recent enterprises in this diredlion the Union National Bank is one of the most 
notable. This bank was incorporated March i, 1887, with a capital of $600,000, and 
has already established itself in the confidence of the business and general public. 
The business is general banking, and the bank discounts approved paper, issues 
exchange on the principal cities of this country and Europe, and receives the 
accounts of banks, bankers, corporations and private individuals, to whem every 
facility is offered consistent with conservative banking. The policy of the man- 
agement of the Union National Bank is guided by sound, conservative, useful 
banking experience, and this, combined with the financial solidity and strong local 
characteristics of the directory, has placed it among the very foremost banking 
establishments west of the Mississippi river. As a consequence the bank has 
been very prosperous, and its last quarterly statement, made October 5, 1887, 
shows its capital to be $600,000, its surplus fund $12,000, its resources $1,983,124.46,. 
and its cash on hand $862,594.91, thus giving a most prosperous exhibit, with un- 
divided profits of $12,000. The Shieldley building, corner of Ninth and Main 
streets, at the jundlion of Delaware street, in which the Union National Bank is 
located, is five stories in height, covering an area of 125x150 feet, and the lower 
floor, occupied by this institution, is tastefully arranged for the business to which 
it is assigned. 

Whiting & JoJinSOn. — Merchant Tailors; 804 Main Street. — The desire 
of gentlemen of refinement to be attired in accordance with their tastes and sur- 
roundings makes the seledtion of a tailor an important consideration. In Kansas 
City a firm that has a deserved recognition as one of the leaders in its line, and 
has long held a high' place in the confidence ot the gentlemen of the city, as a 
result of the superior workmanship of all the products of its establishment, is that 
of Whiting & Johnson. The business was originally established in 1864, by Mr. 
W. E. Whiting, by whom it was continued alone until 1870, when Mr. Frank John- 
son was 'admitted to the partnership, forming the present firm. They occupy 
eligibly located premises at 804 Main street, where they carry on hand at all times 
a large and complete stock of the finest goods, which they import direct from the 
most noted English, German and French manufadlurers, and which they are pre- 
pared to cut, fit and make in the prevailing mode, employing only the best work- 
men and carefully supervising all the produdlions of their establishment, so as to 
secure in each garment a high slandard of excellence, for which this firm has ob- 
tained a merited fame. Forty skilled worknaen are given employment, and only 
the best and finest materials and trimmings are used in making the garments pro- 
duced by this firm. As a consequence of the superior excellence of their produc- 
tions and the close and prompt attention given to all orders, it has gained a merited 
standing as one of the leading firms in its line in the West, and its business is 
steadily increasing from year to year. 

Vogel & Agnew. — Dealers in Hard and Soft Coal ; 704 Delaware Street. — 
Both of the gentlemen whose names head this article have been prominently iden- 
tified in the coal industry here in Kansas City since the date of their establishment 
in business in 1883. They control an extensive local trade, and enjoy the well 
founded reputation of dealing in the best grades of goods at prices which will 
always compete with the lowest. They are sole agents for the celebrated Locust 
Hard and Excelsior Soft Coal, and they have the full capacity to supply the market 
with three hundred car loads of hard coal and twelve hundred car loads of soft 
coal per year. R. Vogel is a German by birth, and has resided in Kansas City six 
years. S. J. Agnew is a native of Pennsylvania, and has resided here sixteen years. 
The business of this firm has kept pace with the remarkable growth of the city, 
and now amounts in volnme to $100,000 annually, and fifteen men are employed by 
the firm. 

The Walruff Brewing Company. — Brewers and • Bottlers ; Breweries 
at L/awrence, Kas. ; Depot, Corner of Hickory and Kansas Avenues. — This in- 
dustry was founded in 1837 by Mr. John Waliuff at Lawrence, Kas. In 1887 the 
style of the firm was changed to The Walruff Brewing Company upon the admis- 
sion of the son, Mr. August F. Walruff", to a partnership. The capacity of this 
brewery is one car load per diem during the summer months, and three car loads 



Thk Industries op Kansas City. 207 



per week during the winter. There are twenty-four men in the employ, twenty at 
the brewery and four at the depot. The trade extends all through Kansas and 
Missouri, with a rapidly increasing demand for the produdl wherever it has been 
introduced, on account of its excellence and purity. Special facilities for bottling 
purposes are possessed by this establishment. The brewery is completely equipped 
with the most improved modern machines and appliances for the proper condudl 
of the business. Mr. John Walruff is a German by birth, and has been in America 
thirty-four years, and thirty- one years in Kansas. He has held positions of honor 
and trust in Kansas, having been County Treasurer of Franklin County, Kansas, 
and cashier in a bank at Ottawa, Kas. Both gentlemen are now residents of Law- 
rence, but intend to locate here with a view to a further extension of their facilities. 
The depot building is 30x80 feet in dimensions, two stories in height, and owned 
by the company. 

J. B. Spell man. — Wholesale Feed and Commission Merchant; Office, 
Twelfth and Mulberry Streets. — The house of J. B. Spellman, ^s being the most 
conspicuous enterprise of the kind here, is worthy of prominent notice, holding, 
as it does, a deservedly high place in the confidence of those who have had the 
most varied dealings in this line and who are in a position to judge. Mr. Spell- 
man is an Ohioan by birth, and was formerly engaged in the dry goods business in 
that State. He came to Kansas Cit)^ and established his present enterprise in 1873, 
since which time he has prospered and assumed a prominent place in both com- 
mercial and social circles. He controls an annual trade amounting to |i225,ooo, 
employs two clerks in his office, five teamsters and one solicitor, and disposes of 
twelve car loads daily, chiefly in the city and surroundings, but also throughout 
Kansas and Missouri. The great specialty of the house is hay, corn, oats and bran, 
all of which he handles largely. Mr. Spellman is also Vice-President of that 
popular body, the Railroad Employes Investment Co. He is the pioneer feed 
and commission merchant of Kansas City. 

P. A. Frederick & Co.— Real Estate and Loan Brokers; Office, 42 
Times Building ; Telephone 1322. — Mr. Frederick has been prominently associated 
in the foremost real estate circles of Kansas Citj- since the day of his establishment 
in business in 1880. He controls some of the most desirable property within the city 
limits ; including improved and unimproved business property and houses and 
lots adjacent to the cable-car lines, valuable maufadluring sites, and switch prop- 
erty in quantities to suit the purchasers. He is the sole agent for Crosby Place, 
which is located south of the city near Grand Boulevard, also four excellent platted 
additions, three of them known as P. A. F.'s additions, and, in fact, there is over 
three million dollars' worth of property in his possession to select from. Mr, P. 
A. Frederick is a native of Ohio, but took up his residence here in 1879. He is a 
gentleman of liberal views, and actively interested in the progress and material 
development of Kansas City. 

Smith, Heddens & Co. — Wholesale Grocers, and Dealers in Teas, Cigars 
and F'ruits ; 1217-1219 Union Avenue. — This wholesale grocery house, ranking 
among the largest in the city, was established January i, 1885, by Mr. George C. 
Smith, Mr. W. I. Heddens, Dr. J. W. Heddens and Hon. O. M. Spencer, which firm 
formerly occupied the building at 1106 and 1108 Union avenue, but which after a 
series of years proved inadequate to their trade. The} have therefore recently 
moved into their new store, at 1217-1219 Union avenue, where they have all the 
facilities for prosecuting their large and increasing trade, consisting of an elegant 
five-story brick structure, 60x130 feet in dimensions, with a commodious basement, 
making six floors, and all appertaining to the building, being new and first-class 
in every respe<5l. The spacious floors of their new quarters are literally packed 
with a complete stock of groceries, embracing < very thing in the line of staple and 
fancy groceries, with special tea and cigar departments. The exterior of the 
premises is also strictly in keeping with the general tone of the house, and the 
handling facilities are strengthened by the side track of a prominent trunk line 
passing at the extreme rear of the building, thus rendering the receipt and ship- 
ment of goods rapid and convenient. The services of twelve men are called into 
requisition about the establishment, while seven traveling men represent the house 
upon the road, and the annual volume af business reaches the handsome sum of 



2o8 The Industries of Kansas City. 



$700,000. Their patronage extends througliout Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Col- 
orado, New Mexico and Texas, and is also being established in other sections of 
the South and West. The specialties of the house consist of fine teas and cigars, 
and full lines of staple and fancy groceries. Mr. Smith, the manager of the house, 
is a native of St. Joseph, Mo., having been a member of the vrholesale dry goods 
house of John S. Brittain & Co. of that city prior to his removal to this city in 
1884. He is also the senior member of the firm af Smith, Utt & Co, doing a gen- 
eral retail business at White Cloud, Kas. Mr. W. J. Heddens is a native of St. 
Joseph, Mo., and is a thorough groceryman. He is now traveling for the house. 
J. W. Heddens, M. D., is also a native of St. Joseph, Mo., and is now one of the 
eminent physicians of the place. Judge O. M. Spencer is a Missourian by birth, 
and has for some time been and is now Judge of the Circuit Court for Buchanan 
County, and resides in St. Joseph, Mo. The members of this firm are men of prac- 
tical ideas and straightforward business principles, and their influence is felt to a 
great extent in the city's business life. 

J. T. Sears. — Banker and Broker ; 107 West Sixth Street. — Mr. Sears has 
been here for two years, and as a financier and man of business probity he has 
added to the reputation he had earned for himself by ten years of banking in Jef- 
ferson City. He was for four years cashier of the Jefferson City Bank, and was 
afterward partner in the private bank of Fleming & Sears. He limits his business 
to Kansas City and accessible localities, where he can personally supervise the 
property upon which he makes advances. He does not make any loans upon farm 
property. He condu6ts his business on sound conservative principles, and has 
gained a leading place in public confidence through the justice and accuracy of 
his dealings. 

Mrs. R. Sachs. — FashionableMillinery and Hair Goods; 540 Main Street. — 
Characteristic of, and incident to, the rapid development of Kansas City's metropo- 
litan style, the prosperity of such industries as cater to the high taste and fash- 
ionable tendencies of her beau mond^, indicate her progress in that direction. 
Prominent among these important industries is that one so successfully carried 
on by Mrs. R. Sachs, who established it in 1870. At the outset the amount of cap- 
ial involved in the enterprise was only $500 ; now she carries a completely diversi- 
fied and unexcelled stock valued at upwards of $10,000, in millinery and hair goods, 
both foreign and domestic, importing directly from the fashionable European 
market. Twenty skilled modistes and hair workers are in her employ at an average 
weekly pay roll of $250. The trade of this establishment extends all through 
Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Colorado and Texas, and is continually increasing in 
volume. Mrs. Sachs is a native of the national capital, where she learned the 
millinery art and the methods of the trade for the importation of human hair. 
Her store is eligibh' located at 540 Main street, in the center of a fashionable 
thoroughfare, and is 30x120 feet in dimensions, interiorly arranged in the highest 
style of modern art and good taste, the goods being displayed artistically in mag- 
nificent plate-glass fronts. Mrs. Sach's establishment is the largest and most 
fashionable of its kind in the city. Her success is due to care and skill in the 
condudl of her business and lady-like demeanor with her numerous patronage. 

Wittich «& Penfield. — Wholesale Paper; 517 Delaware Street. — This old 
established and highly reputed paper house began business in 1875, when it was 
conducfted by the firm of S. C. Moody & Co., who were succeeded January i, 1886, 
by Messrs. George E. Wittich and E. J. Penfield. They occupy for store premises 
a four-story building, 26x150 feet in dimensions, and in the rear of this building 
they have a two-story warehouse, 25x120 feet. They carry a large stock and com- 
plete assortment of every description of paper, including printing papers, wrap- 
ping papers, writing papers, and a full line of stationery of all descriptions. Em- 
ployment is given in the house to a force of twenty-five competent clerks and 
assistants, and four traveling salesmen represent the house in a trade territory em- 
bracing Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and New Mexico, in which they have built up 
a large patronage, as a consequence of the uniforml}^ satisfactory and prompt man- 
ner in which orders are filled, the superior goods carried in the stock and the close 
margins upon which these goods are sold. Messrs. Wittich & Penfield are both 
thoroughly experienced and practical merchants, Mr. Penfield having been con- 



Thk Industries of Kansas City. 209 



nedled with the house for ten years as an employe of the firm of S. C. Moody & 
Co. piior to the acquirement of the business by the present firm. The firm is a 
progressive and enterprising one, and its relations with manufacturers are such 
that it is enabled to offer the greatest inducements to the trade. 

J. P. Snyder. — Real Estate, Rental and Loan Office; Room 522 Alamo Build- 
ing, 622 Delaware Street. — Mr. Snyder established this business in an office in the 
Mason block, at loii Main street, changing May 10, 18S7, to his present location in 
the Alamo building, where he carries on all the departments of a real estate, rental 
and loan agency' business, having on hand and for sale at all times desirable resi- 
dence and business property in the city, as well as Missouri, Kansas, Texas and 
other lands, cattle ranches, wild lands, timber and mineral lands, improved farms, 
etc. Careful attention is given to investments for non-residents, for which 
business Mr. Snyder possesses unsurpassed facilities, and personal and prompt 
attention is given to all business intrusted to his hands. Mr. Snyder has re- 
sided in Kansas City for the past eight j'ears, and is an authority upon the values, 
present and prospective, of property in the city and its vicinity. He is prepared 
to take charge of properties for non-residents, to rent same and collect rents, and 
to attend to all the details of the care and attention of realty, and his industry 
and close attention to business make him a valuable medium through which 
to transact business of this charadler. 

Union Transfer Company. — Louis Dragon and W. W. Brown, Proprie- 
tors ; Office 704 Delaware Street. — Messrs. Dragon and Brown are the oldest transfer 
men in the city, having commenced business in 1865 and continued it until the 
present time. To the older residents it is needless to say any thing in regard to 
this firm, but to those who have more recently settled here attention may be called 
to the fa<5t that by their uniform courtesy and promptness in business matters this 
firm are now at the head of the list of transfer companies. Especially is this so in 
regard to the handling of safes and all kinds of heavy machinery, they having 
during the past year handled nine-tenths of all the heavy cable machinery used in 
the construdlion of the different cable lines now in operation in this city. They use 
thirty-six horses and forty men constantly in their business, and the average weekly 
pay-roll is $500. The stables are located at 215 East Fifth street, and are connedled 
with all depots by telephone. Messrs. Dragon and Brown were the first to see the 
necessity of having a private switch with large derrick to more conveniently handle 
the heavy machinery. They have just completed arrangements to have additional 
track room for about twenty cars on their switch in the South part of the city, and 
about ten cars on their switch in the East part of the city. The most important 
point to the public in the arrangements is that they give to their customers the 
benefit of the economical handling of heavy freight owing to the facilities just 
mientioned. Mr. Dragon is a native of France, and emigrated to this country fifty- 
three years ag(% settling in New York State. He then came to Kansas City, and 
previous to adopting his present avocation, was engaged in the drj' goods business 
here. Mr. W. W. Brown is a native of Scotland, and came to this country eighteen 
years ago, settling in Kansas City, where he has been engaged in the transfer busi- 
ness ever since. 

James G. Young. — Attorney and Counselor at Law, Examiner of Titles, 
Notary Public, Solicitor of Patents and United States Claim Agent ; Rooms 62, 63 
and 64 Hall Building, corner of Ninth and Walnut Streets ; Telephone No. 1829. — 
Every community must have laws and laws must have wise interprers, as well as 
just Judges to enforce them ; and, as the ver}^ existence of a community depends 
upon the carrying out of the law, it is highly proper that some account of a lead- 
ing rep'<-esentative of both the bench and the bar should appear in a comprehen- 
sive review of the enterprises and prominent men of the city. Mr. Young has 
been in the active practice of law since 1868, and in Kansas Cit}- since 1877, and his 
fine talents and address, along with his extensive legal experience and learning, 
have won for him a high reputation in the West, and his practice extends over the 
States of Kajisas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, and the other States eastward. He is 
one of those intelligent men who conform their profession to the times and places 
in which they live, and so make a success of it, and benefit both themselves and 
others. He fills the office of notary public, and while he does not make a specialty 



The; Industries of Kansas City. 



of any particular branch of law, yet lie has met with peculiar success in the exam- 
ination of abstradls and the perfedting of titles. He is recognized as the leading 
solicitor of patents in Kansas City, and has had an extensive experience in patent 
litigation. Mr. Young's oiifice is a model of order and elegance, and having an ex- 
tensive library and efficient clerks, business entrusted to his care \\ill receive most 
careful attention. 

Wm. Volker & Co. — Manufa6lurers, Importers and Jobbers of Mouldings, 
Picture Frames, Etc. ; 602 and 604 Delaware Street. — This firm, of which Messrs. 
William Volker and Albert Soukup are the individual members, was formed in 
1882, and has built up a large and steadily growing business in the manufadture, 
importation and the jobbing of mouldings, picture frames, window cornices, 
French, German and American mirror plates, arch top, pier and mantel mirrors, 
picture glass, oil paintings, chromos, engravings, lithographs, cabinet hardware and 
furniture supplies. The premises occupied by the firm as a store and fadlory 
embrace a tbree-story building, 40 x 120 feet in dimensions, fully and completely 
equipped with all the necessary machinery and appliances adapted to this depart- 
ment of industry, employment being given to a force of twenty-five hands. As a 
consequence of the uniform merit of all the productions of their facSlory and the 
careful seledlion of their stock from the finest goods of the most noted manufac- 
turers, the firm has built up a large trade covering Missouri, Montana, Kansas, 
Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Nebraska and the West generally, and the facilities 
enjoyed by the firm are such that they are prepared to offer the greatest induce- 
ments, bo^h in quality and price, to the trade. Before establishing themselves in 
this business in this city five years ago, Messrs. Volker and Soukup had been 
similarly engaged in Chicago, and the thorough and pradlical knowledge of the 
business in all its details possessed by these gentlemen, combined with uniformly 
fair and accurate methods of dealing with their customers, has secured for them a 
first-class reputation and a deserved popularity and prosperity. 

E. Werk. — Real Estate, Loans and Securities; 8)4. West Ninth Street, Room 
11; Telephone 1482. — Mr. Werk opened up his ofiice here in June, 1887, and his 
business has grown apace under his careful and judicious dire6lion. He deals in 
city residence and business properties, loans money on approved real estate 
security, and sells domestic and foreign securities. Two efficient assistants are in 
his employ, and every transadlion is characterized by the most systematic care, 
Mr. Werk giving his personal attention to ever}- detail of the business. His client- 
age is distributed all through the States of Missouri and Kansas. Mr. Werk has 
been a resident about fifteen years. He hails from Cincinnati, and prior to engag- 
ing in his present enterprises was an active grain merchant of this cit}'. His suc- 
cess in this business is due to consummate skill and the exercise of honorable 
methods in all his dealings. 

Despatch Transfer Company. — Freight Transferring Office, 534 Del- 
aware Street; Stables, 407 to 411 Grand Avenue; Telephone, No. 508. — Kansas City 
is not wanting in commercial facilities of every description; among these special 
mention is due to the Despatch Transfer Company. As its name iijiplies, this 
company possesses superior advantages for the rapid and safe transfer of all kinds 
of freight to and from railroad lines, as well as attending to the delivery of bag- " 
gage and merchandise to various parts of the city. The enterprise was organized 
in 1883, and assumed corporate existence in 1885, with Messrs. H. E. Overstreet, 
President and Treasurer ; D. C. Stephenson, Vice-President; F. S. Treadway, Secre- 
tary, and Thomas Christopher, Superintendent. The capital involved in the busi- 
ness amounts to $50,000. The ofiice is centrallj' located at 534 Delaware street. The 
stables are situated at Nos. 407 to 411 Grand avenue, and occupy a substantial four- 
story building, 60 X 154 in dimensions, completely equipped with every modern con- 
venience for the proper care of live stock. About sixty vehicles of various kinds, from 
one to four horse draft, are utilized for delivery and transfer purposes. Seventy-five 
men are in the employ of the establishment upon an average weekly pay-roll of 
$700. The business is secured from local sources mainly, (railroads, etc.,) and 
aggregates upwards of $600,000 annually. This is the largest and best appointed 
transfer enterprise in the West. Its able and systematic management reflects great 
credit upon the officers in charge of the business, who are all gentlemen eminently 



The Industries op Kansas City. 



m 



qualified both by experience and business sagacity for the condudl of this business. 
Mr. Overstreet has been a resident ten years. He was formerly in the drug Indus - 
try at Sedalia, Mo., and subsequently was connedled with the Myer Brothers Drug 
Company of this city. He is the owner of considerable city property. Mr. Steph- 
enson has been a resident since 1856, is a native of Iowa, and has always been in 
the transfer business. Mr. Treadway has been in Kansas City twenty years. He has 
entire charge of all the shipping interests of the Armour Packing Co. Mr. 
Christopher, the Superintendent, is a native of the Gate City, and is thoroughly 
conversant with eveiy detail of the transfer business, having been engaged in it 
since early manhood. The success of this enterprise is due to the well-direAed 
efforts of the gentlemen at the head of its management, and their valuable exper- 
ience in the transfer line. 

Milton F. Simmons, Real Estate; Office 119 West Sixth Street— This 
enterprise was established in 1884, by the present incumbent, Mr. Milton F. Sim- 
mons, who hails from the Empire State. He Avas engaged in journalism previous to 
his present occupation, having edited the Jacksonville yoz^rwa/, and was for a num- 
ber of years editor and proprietor of the Illinois State Journal, at Springfield, 111., 
newspapers that have gained a wide reputation in the field of American journal- 
ism. Mr. Simmons is the organizer and Secretary of the Simmons Investment Com- 
pany, which was incorporated November, 1S87, and controls immense landed in- 
terests in the vicinity of Kansas City. Mr. Simmon's specialty is the sale of out- 
side properties, embracing some of the most desirable now on the market, notably, 
the Washington Addition to Kansas City, comprising 260 acres, one of the largest 
additions ever platted for the city. It extends eastward to Washington Park, Kan- 
sas City's main pleasure resort. It is high, healthly and sightly, with abundcnce of 
pure water and shade trees, and adjoins the " Blue Valley." It is famed as the most 
eligible future manufacturing center of the Gate City. It is accessible over the In- 
dependence and Park Dummy Line, Washington station being located in the heart 
of the addition, and six other railroad stations are either contiguous or within its 
limits. This is a most desirable location both for residence and business purposes. 
Already several important industries are in operation in this vicinity, and others 
projedled. All this tract is platted in lots of fifty feet or more, and so situated that 
perfedl drainage is eff"e6led. East Ridgewa)^ is another valuable property con- 
trolled by this firm, comprising thirty-three acres, and just outside the city limits, 
which Mr. Simmons has quite recently placed upon the market, equally desirable 
and quite as accessible by rail as the foregoing. Properties disposed of already by 
this firm since its establishment are among the most eligible within or without the 
city limits. As examples vc\a.y be cited ProspeA View, Lydia Avenue Place, Green 
View, Troost Highlands, Bloomfield Addition, etc. The honorable record of the 
subject of this sketch is worth j' of more than the limited space allotted in these 
pages to note in detail his many good works in extending facilities to those seek- 
ing permanent locstions for business or residence purposes, and increasing the 
domain of our great Midland metropolis. 

Garnett Coal Company. — Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Hard and 
Soft Coal ; 1017 St. Louis Avenue. — This enterprise was founded in 1886, by the 
Garnett Coal Company, of which J. D. King is President, and G. W. Gregory, 
Secretary and Treasurer, and as a coal company, it not only deals in coal of all 
kinds, but it also pays a large share of attention to mining, and sells largely at 
wholesale diredl from the mines. The mines of the Garnett Coal Company are sit- 
uated at Camden, Ray County, Missouri, where it has an extensive series of mines, 
employing a competent force of workmen, as miners and shippers, and from which 
source the cit}- j-ards receive 1,500 bushels of coal per day. These coal yards are 
eligibly located at 1017 St. Louis Avenue, where a working force of sixty men is 
constantly employed in unloading and shipping this essential and important ele- 
ment of fuel, and receive as their monthly compensation $1,500. The trade is con- 
fined principally to Kansas City and adjacent territory, and is gradually extending 
in other direcftions and over different portions of the State. Mr. J. D. King is a 
native of Missouri, having recently removed to Kansas City, and was formerly 
engaged in farming. He now has cl arge of the business of the company here, 
which duties he discharges with great credit to himself and profit to the company. 
Mr. G. W. Gregory is a resident of Ray County, Missouri, where he has spent the 



212 Thk Industries of Kansas City. 



greater portion of his life in coal mining, consequently his experience is a great 
factor in the success of the business. The company handles the coal diredl Irom 
the cars, and receive its shipments over the Wabash Railroad, and its facilities for 
handling, as well as all the appointments of the concern, are first class in every 
respedl, and the future prospects of the enterprise are bright and encouraging. 

Shroeder Commission Company. — Grain and General Commission 
Merchants; No. 7 Merchants' Exchange. — This business was opened by Mr. F. C. 
Shroeder, the present manager and prime fadlor of the firm, in 1877, in his own 
name, but the name and style of the firm was changed to its present form in 1885. 
The house does a very large business with New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Duluth, 
Milwaukee and other points East in a speculative and order business, a large num- 
ber of speculators and capitalists in Kansas City and various other parts of the 
country entrusting them with orders for grain, provisions and stocks to be bought 
or sold in any of the above mentioned markets. In this department of business 
Mr. Shroeder is a favorite with speculators, as he is honor itself, and being a wealthy 
man the deposits of investors are perfectly safe in his hands, while his charges are 
known to be lighter than those of any other commission house in the city. Mr. 
Shroeder is a native of Denmark, and came to America in 1857, and settled in New 
York, living there for two years. In 1859 he went to Milwaukee and entered the 
grain commission business as book-keeper for a prominent firm. He next went 
into business for himself, forming the partnership of Shroeder, Ludblom & Co., of 
Milwaukee. In 1877 he came to Kansas City and established the business which he 
has managed so successfully ever since. 

Risley, Bentley & Co. — Real Estate and I/Oan Agents ; Rooms i and 2, 
Times Building ; 812 Main Street. — This firm, of which Messrs. J. W. Risley and 
D. S. Bentley are the members, was formed in October, 1885, since which time they 
have conducted a large and constantly growing business in real estate in the city 
and throughout Jackson County, Mo., and Wyandotte County, Kas. The transac- 
tions of this firm during the past year have aggregated in the amount of sales up- 
ward of $1,000,000, representing many of the most important transfers in real estate 
that have taken place in the city during that time, including the sale of thirty-two 
acres in the northeast part of the city, on St. John avenue and Porter road, for 
$200,000. They also sold Beacon Hill Place, at Twenty-ninth street and Troost 
avenue, fifteen acres in area, embracing fifty-six lots, and which was sold for $150,- 
000. The firm sold the northeast corner of Sixth and Central streets, 71x116 feet 
in dimensions, twice, the first time in March, 1887, for $53,250, and again in June 
for $78,000, thus securing for the first purchaser a profit of about $25,000. Mr. 
Risley of this firm, prior to engaging in this business,, was connected with the 
hardware trade. Mr. Bentley, who is a native of Rhode Island, came West in 1844, 
settling in L/apeer, Mich., where he engaged in the lumber business as a member 
of the firm of Hart, Bentley & Co., remaining there until 1858, when he went 
to Central City, Col., establishing the first saw-mill in Colorado Territory, and 
in 1865 he was appointed Revenue Inspector for Georgia, afterward coming to 
Kansas City in 1868, from whence he went to La Cygne, Kas., where he engaged 
in the banking and lumber business until 1882, when he returned to Kansas 
City and built a warehouse on Eighteenth and Wyoming streets, starting in the 
warehouse business. Since the formation of this firm the business training of 
these gentlemen has asserted itself in the capacity for carrying on the most im- 
portant transadlions, whiA has commended them to the favor and patronage of 
investors in Kansas City real estate, and given them a merited prominence among 
the leading firms engaged in this department of industry. 

E. A. Walmsley. — Tailor ; Nelson Block, 533 Main Street. — Mr. E. A. Walras- 
ley established this industry in 1877, at No. 15 West Fifth street, and removed to his 
present business location, 533 Main street, in the unpretentious building that occu- 
pied the site of the present magnificent struAure. But true to this principle in com- 
merce, that " Here we grew, here we thrive," he remained in the same locality, and 
his success in business has been commensurate with the rapid development of Kan- 
sas City as a Western commercial metropolis. He employs twenty efl&cient and exper- 
ienced workmen at an average weekly pay-roll of $300, and all his work is executed 
after the most approved methods of the tailor's art. The materials used are from the 




Thk Industries of Kansas City. 213 

best domestic and foreign looms, and, being a professional cutter himself, the great- 
est satisfaction is guaranteed both as to style and material. Mr. Walmsley's trade 
extends to the city mainly, and he caters to the tastes of such as understand the 
value of elegance and substantial wear in clothing. He is a native of the historic 
Isle of Jersey, coming to America in 1848. Having learned his trade in his native 
home, he engaged in this business with the celebrated house of Guthrie & Sons, of 
London. After his arrival here and engaging in business in Cincinnati, O., and 
Indianapolis, Ind., he came to this city, and the sequel of his phenomenal success 
is evidenced by his skill in the tailors' art, and the knowledge of which was acquired 
through nearly one half a century's experience. 

The Phelps & Bigelow Wind Mill Company.— Manufadturers of 
Wind Mills and Fixtures; 1215 West Ninth Street. — The national reputation of the 
"I. X. L." wind mill, has caused it to be used in nearly 
every portion of the civilized world, as 14,000 of them 
are now in use, and their number is daily increasing. 
The main office and fadtory of the company is located at 
218, 220, 222 and 224 North Burdick street, Kalamazoo, 
Mich., and its officers are Edward Woodbury, President, 
and M. J. Bigelow, Secretary and Treasurer. The com- 
pany was organized in 1872 and incorporated in 1875, 
with a capital of $40,000, and have a manufadturing ca- 
pacity of 2,000 complete machines per annum, besides a 
large amount of supplies. The house gives constant 
employment to 125 hands, and is doing an annual busi- 
ness of over $200,000. Twenty-iive salesmen represent 
the Kansas City house upon the road, and their sales 
extend throughout the entire West and Southwest. The Kansas City branch of this 
house was organized March i-, 1884, and is located at 1215 West Ninth street. The main 
building, containing the offices and salesroom of the establishment, is a three-story 
strudlure, two of which are in use, and in dimensions 30 "x 60 feet, with two com- 
modious two-story warehouses, 30 x 44 feet and 25 x 80 feet respedtively, which are 
stored with the machines ready for shipment to points of destination. This is, in 
reality, a supply depot for their rapidl)' accumulating Western trade, and is equipped 
with every facility for handling goods and transadting the business of the house. 
The specialty of the concern consists in the manufadture and sale of the " I. X. L." 
wind mill and power wind engine, patented April 22, 1873, ^^^ August 4, 1884, and 
as now completed, is the best self governing wind mill in the world. Mr. J. Q. 
Adams, the manager of the house, is a native of Michigan, having formerly been a 
house builder, but joining the firm at its inception and remaining with the main 
house until 1884, when he came to establish this branch, which promises to exceed 
the highest expedtations of its founders. 

G. E. Quinby & Co. — Real Estate Brokers; Room 214 Alamo Btiilding, 
Corner Seventh and Delaware Streets. — This firm was organized and established in 
1885, and is now doing an annual business of $400,000, with a prospedt of a vast 
increase in the near future. The principal part of the trade of this institution is 
located in Missouri and Kansas ; and its specialties are for the negotiation of city 
and farming property, loans, etc. This firm has recently sold eighty acres, located 
in Johnson County, for $50,000; and a lot 50x150 feet, located at Westport, for 
$t6,ooo. Quinby Park and Quinby Addition are partly owned by Mr. G. E. Quinby, 
who also controls Grand View Addition, comprising 400 acres, through which the 
Waldo Park Dummy lyine Railroad runs, thus giving rapid and constant transit 
to Independence and the central portions of Kansas City. Mr. G. E. Quinby is a 
native of Vermont, but has been a resident of Kansas City for about five years, and 
is connedted with the Onstott Lot and Land Co. He was formerly engaged in the 
wholesale watch and jewelry business here, and has been very successful in his 
^ varied occupations, with bright and cheering prospedts in the future. 

A. J. Gillespie & Co. — Live Stock Commission Merchants; Room 15, 
Stock Exchange Building. — A live stock commission house having a daily handling 
capacity of eight hundred and fifty head of hogs and one hundred head of cattle, 
with a competent force of salesmen and assistants, and completely equipped with 



214 The; Industries of Kansas City. 



every available facility, having a trade covering the States of Kansas, Missouri, 
Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa, Utah, Colorado, Texas, Wyoming, Indian Territory, New 
Mexico and Arizona, with an annual business amounting to $4,500,000, is that of 
A. J. Gillespie & Co. This concern had its inception in 1872 under the style of Toby, 
Gillespie & Co., which firm was succeeded in 1887 by the present house, whose 
individual members are Messrs. A. J., T. E. and L. J. Gillespie. Mr. A. J. Gillespie 
is a native of Illinois, subsequently removing to St. Ivouis, Mo., where he engaged 
in live stock speculation for fifteen j'cars, thence removing to Kansas City in 1869, 
since which time he has been actively engaged in the live stock trade, having 
founded the original house, and being now the popular cattle salesman and gen- 
eral manager of the establishment. Mr. T. E. Gillespie is a native of Illinois, and 
was formerly engaged on the cattle trail in Montana and Oregon, six years prior to 
his removal to Kansas City in 1875. He has charge of the hog department, assisted 
by his brother Louis J., whose nativity and experience is the same, as well as that 
of the third brother, John F., who assists his father in the cattle department. Mil- 
ton James is also another cattle salesman, one of the oldest in the exchange, 
through whose wide experience much valuable aid is rendered to the house. The 
extensive chara6ler of the business transacted by this firm, together with its grow- 
ing popularity, combine to make it one of the strongest in the live stock exchange. 
Mr. A. J. Gillespie, the senior member of this firm, assisted by John D. Bancroft, 
built the first elevator in Kansas City. 

Wood Brothers. — Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Coal and Ice; 522 Del- 
aware Street. — This firm, which is composed of Messrs. R. W. and B. F. Wood, was 
formed in 1S76, since which time they have enjoyed a large patronage, which has stead- 
ily increased from year to year. They are largely engaged as dealers in ice, for which 
purpose they have warehouses located along the banks of the Missouri River in the 
city, with a storage capacity of 25,000 tons of ice, and in addition they have a warehouse 
at Sugar L,ake, Mo., where they cut and store their ice, and which has a capacity for 
20,000 tons, and also have warehouses at Council Bluffs and Sioux City, la. The 
ice dealt in by them is of the best and purest quality, and as a consequence they 
have a large patronage in the city and its surroundings, running the largest num- 
ber of wagons of any concern engaged in the business in the city, having, in the 
height of the season as many as twenty-five or thirty constantly engaged in deliv- 
ering orders. In addition to this business they are largely engaged as dealers in 
coal, and in this line do a steadily growing business, selling both to dealers and 
consumers. Mr. R. W. Wood, of this firm, has resided in Kansas Cit}' for the past 
twelve years, prior to which he was engaged in the coal business at Leavenworth, 
Kas., and his brother, Mr. B. F. Wood, was engaged as a civil engineer at Chicago, 
prior to coming to this city with his brother, and engaging in this enterprise. Both 
are gentlemen of superior business attainments, and as a result of their energetic 
efforts, the volume of the business has steadily increased from year to year, from 
its inception to the present. 

Ford & Furgason. — Insurance Agents; Security Building, 522 Wyandotte 
Street. — There is no branch of business that occupies a more prominent position, 
or that has proven more beneficial than that of fire and life insurance. No pru- 
dent business man, with his manufactories and storehouses filled with stock, nor 
any owner of dwellings who fears the misfortunes of life, but will procure policies 
of insurance to indemnify him against loss ; no head of a family who has care and 
forethought about the fature of those dependant upon him, can feel that his full 
duty is accomplished until he provides, by a policy, for those who may live after 
him. But before procuring such a policy it is essential to know whether the com- 
pany issuing it is sound, and prompt in paying its losses; and whether the agent 
througa whom the policy is received is reliable and experienced. This agency was 
established in 1867 by Jonathan Ford, and during all these years of active operation 
has sustained a charadler that has placed it in the front rank in the line. The agency 
now represents some of the most reliable and popular insurance companies in the 
United States; among which are the Girard, of Philadelphia, organized in 1853, 
which has a capital stock of $300,000, and a surplus of $902,485 ; the Northwestern 
National, of Milwaukee, organized in 1869, having a paid up capital of $600,000, and 
and a surplus of $873,816; the Fireman's, Newark, N. J., organized in 1855, capital 
45600,000, and a surplus of $1,428,330; the Lion, London— United States branch 



The Industries op Kansas City. 215 



organized in 1880, now holding a surplus of $554,960 ; the New Hampshire, at Man- 
chester, organi/,ed in 1869, capital $500,000, surplus of $737,759; the Farmers, York, 
Pa., organized in 1853, a mutual company, now having a surplus of $210,521; the 
Long Island, Brooklyn, N. Y., organized in 1S53, capital $300,000, surplus $348,002; 
the Rochester German, Rochester N. Y., organized 1872, capital $200,000, surplus 
$372,625, and the Mutual Life, New York, with assets of $120,000,000. These are the 
companies represented by this agency, giving unmistakable evidence of its relia- 
bility. All policies negotiated b}- this firm are written with care, and adjusted with 
fairness and dispatch. Mr. Jonathan Ford, senior member of the firm, and agent 
personally, of the " Old Mutual Life," has been engaged in the insurance business 
more than twenty years, and is intimately acquainted with all its various details. Mr. 
F. M. Furgason, who personally represents also the Lloyds Plate Glass Insurance 
Association of New York, has been a member of this firm eight years ; he has been 
superintendent of the Provident Association of this city since its organization, 
seven years ago. A more reliable and trustworthy firm cannot be found in the 
cit}-, than the Messrs. Ford & Furgason. 

Wise & Hastings. — Civil Engineers ; Rooms 524 and 525 Alamo Building, 
Northwest Corner of Seventh and Delaware Streets. — Among all the various scien- 
tific professions that of the civil engineer, requires more real talent and a greater 
amount of mental labor than almost anj- other, and is, perhaps, of as great impor- 
tance, both to the city and the country at large, as any industry from which the 
great West has obtained its unequalled prosperity. This enterprise was established 
in 1886, by the present firm, and was originally located at 129 West Sixth street, but 
was removed to its present location in May, 1887. It has been favored with a grand 
success, its annual business -transacflions amounting to $20,000, and being princi- 
pally located throughout Missouri and Kansas. Twelve very efficient and scientific 
men are employed on its force, while the proprietors give their individual attention 
to every detail of the business, thus insuring satisfactory results. Mr. H. A. Wise, 
senior member of the firm, is a native of New Hampshire, has been engaged in the 
business for twenty years, and has been employed extensively in his present avoca- 
tion by railroad companies. He came to Kansas City twelve years ago, and has 
since resided here. He has charge at present of the Vine street Motor Railway in 
this city. Mr. C. W. Hastings, junior member, is a native of Brookh-n, N. Y., and 
has been a resident of Kansas City three years. He was for a time employed on the 
reportorial corps of one of the morning papers here ; and at another time was Chief 
Engineer of the Kanapolis and Kansas Central railroad. The great care and faith- 
ful attention paid by this firm to the interests of their patrons, has secured for 
them a high standing in business circles, and a prosperity which is the well earned 
result of uniform accuracy and reliability in all their undertakings. 

W. H. Young. — Real Estate Agent; Office, First National Bank Building 
Corner of Sixth Street aud Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, Kas. — This enter- 
prise was established in 1S85 b)'^ Mr. W. H. Young, w^hose long experience in, and 
familiarity with the real estate and landed interests of the State and of Kansas City, 
eminently fits him for the conduA of this business. His transactions are not con- 
fined to the city but extend to the rural distri<5ls as well, and amount to upwards of 
$150,000 annually. Mr. Young is a Tenneesean by birth, but has been a resident of 
Kansas upwards of twenty-two years, and now resides in Pomeroy, Kas. Prior to 
engaging in this business he pursued flour milling in W^yandotte County, Kansas. 
Mr. Young's success is due to consummate care and skill in the condu6lofhis 
affairs. He is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic, having 
served his country in the late war from April i6th, 1861, to February i8th, 1865, 
and was honorably discharged at its close. Mr. Young controls the sale of the fol- 
lowing additions : Brighton Hill, Sunny Side, Edgerton Place, Silver Place and is 
sole agent for the town of Bethel. Farm lands are made a specialty, as also the 
payment of taxes, colle6lion of rents and the safe investments of money for 
non-residents. 

G. P. ScFlOpp & Co. — General Commission, and Wholesale Fruits and 
Produce; 41 1 Walnut Street. — An important feature in connedtiou with the progress 
and commercial interests of this city is the produce commission business, and in a 
work purporting to give reliable information on the business of the city, it is 



2i6 Thb Industries of Kansas City. 



necessary to set forth the facilities offered by the business men of the city. This 
enterprise was established about two years ago by Mr. G. P. Schopp, and Mr. G. G. 
Lubhart joined him later on. These gentlemen, being possessed of wide exper- 
ience and energy, determined to succeed The business has increased until now it 
enjoys a large trade from shippers throughout the States of Missouri, Kansas, 
Nebraska. Iowa, Tennessee, Utah, California, Louisiana, Alab ima, Arkansas and 
Texas. The cities of New York and New Orleans are also fields for this firm's 
operations. Early fruits and vegetables are handled principally, embracing Cali- 
fornia produdtions, apples, oranges, lemons, cranberries, onions, potatoes, etc , a 
large portion of which is handled in carload lots, and special facilities being pos- 
sessed by the firm in realizing the highest market prices and making prompt 
returns of sales to its consignors. By this means a steadily increasing business 
has resulted, and the confidence of a very large patronage has been obtained and 
carefully fostered. Mr. G. P. Schopp hails from St. Louis, and is the son of Mr. 
Jacob Schopp, of that city, who condu«5ls an extensive business in the same line 
there. The subject of this sketch has been trained to this occupation under his 
father's direcflion, and is eminently qualified for its efficient condu6t. Mr. G. G. 
Lubhart withdrew from the business soon after its establishment, in order to give 
his personal attention to his interest in an extensive business enterprise in Denver, 
Col. The firm assumed its present name on January i£t of the present year. 

Wabash School Furniture Company.— J. S. Dougherty, President; 
W. M. Henly, Secretar)- and Treasurer; T. W. Lofton, Manager of Kansas City 
Branch ; Office, 723 Walnut Street ; M5nufa(5turers of School, Church and Office Fur- 
niture. — This corporation opened its Kansas City office in 1S82 and the business, 
under the management of Mr. Lofton, has been highly gratifying. The main 
fa<5lory is in Wabash Ind., where 300 operatives are constantly employed, while the 
Kansas City branch furnishes work for fifteen. The furnishing of churches and 
schools, especially the latter, has of late j ears been a subject of much discussion 
and thought, and men of the highest intelligence have given it no stinted study. 
The result has been great improvement looking toward the health and comfort of 
children, and no furnishing establishment has caught the spirit of reform or striven 
more zealously for even better things and methods, than the Wabash School Fur- 
niture Co. The result is that to-day they are unsurpassed as furnishers of churches 
and schools, and the sense and science shown by the m in outfitling these important 
institutions is equalled by the good taste and eye to convenience with which they 
fit up offices. Mr. Lofton is a thorough expert in his line and no contradl can be 
put in his hand that he can not and will not fill, not only to the satisfadtion but to 
surprise and delight of his patrons. 

J. A. L. Waddell.— Consulting Engineer; Office, 118 West Sixth Street— Mr. 
Waddell has been in the city a year, and represents the Phoenix Bridge Company 
and the Phoenix Iron Company. His attention is mainly given to the inspedtion 
and repairing of railroad and city bridges, viaducts, etc., and to making designs 
for new strudlures. He has had a training and experience that fit him eminently 
for such responsible work. He was four years in Japan as professor of civil en- 
gineering in the Imperial University ; was consulting engineer for Leavenworth 
bridge repairs, and made the calculations upon which the Covington and Cincinnati 
railroad bridge is being construdled. He is a Canadian by birth but was educated 
in the United States. The Phoenix Iron Company, at Phcenixville, Pa., own mines 
of coal and iron, manufa(5lure tlie pig iron, convert it into wr:jught iron and manu- 
fadlure it into bridges and the Bridge Company puts them up. The Iron Company 
does a considerable business in supplying iron for the constru6tion of buildings. 
The head office of these companies is in Philadelphia, and they have a branch in 
New York. They have a very large contracft on the Kings County elevated rail- 
road, and are increasing their capacity. Mr. Waddell's territory, as representative 
of these companies, comprises all the country west of the Mississippi, and they are 
fortunate in having such an able and adlive man to look after their interests. 

Hall Brothers & Co. — Real Estate and Loan Agency; Room No. i. 
National Building, Corner of Ninth and Main Streets. — The firm of Hall Brothers 
has been in existence for twenty years, as cattle dealers, with ranch in Colorado, 
near Trinidad, comprising six thousand acres, with an average of seven thousand 



The Industries of Kansas City. 217 



cattle. In November, 1887, they made one shipment of one hundred and thirteen 
cars from Trinidad to Kiowa, Kansas. The Hall brothers came to Kansas City 
about five years ago, have resided here since, and are now engaged in the real 
estate business. They own the elegant block from Main to Walnut, on Ninth 
streets, the National building occupying the northeast corner of Main and Ninth 
streets. Mr. Nathan J. Hall, senior member of the firm, is regarded by all who 
know him, as a man of extraordinary business qualifications, with great sobrietj^ 
of judgment, never speaking positively without full information, and it is said 
that his predicStious can safely be depended upon. He owns a large amount of real 
estate located in different parts of the city, principally improved, and handles his 
own property. Mr. Willliam M. Hall has had a large and a6live experience in bus- 
iness, is pushing and eaergetic, and at the same time careful and conservative. Mr. 
Joseph Sherlock, agent and notary public, has been connedled with the firm for 
four years, and is regarded as one of the most reliable and corredl business men 
in Kansas City. 

James A. Young. — Wholesale Dealer in Flour and Feed of All Kinds; Cor- 
ner of Minnesota Avenue and Third Street, Kansas City, Kas. — Mr. Young has been 
engaged in his present business since January, 1886, and has a large and steadily in- 
creasing business in the city and its surroundings. He occupies a three- story 
building, 25x100 feet in dimensions, where he 'carries a large and completely 
assorted stock of flour and feed of all kinds, making a specialty of the " King of 
Kansas" and the "Vienna" brands of flour, which are articles of superior ex- 
cellence and largely in demand by consumers, and therefore favorites with the 
trade. The amount of goods handled by Mr. Young averages about seventy car 
loads per month, and this establishment holds a leading position among the con- 
cerns of its kind on the Kansas side. Mr. Young was in the mill business prior to 
engaging in his present enterprise, and he now handles flour from three diflFerent 
mills, and in addition to the two special brands above mentioned, handles four 
other brands, all of which are of approved quality. He is prepared to fill all orders 
for flour and feed in a prompt and satisfadlory manner, and his business shows a 
steady growth from month to month. 

Western Pump Company.— Fred H. Smith, President; W. E. Ratliff, 
Vice-President ; T. C. Webster, Secretary and Treasurer ; Manufadlurers of the 
Western Wind Mill ; Northwest Corner of Joy and Hickory Streets. — This is the 
largest house making a specialty of pumps, to be found in the city ; having been 
organized by the act of incorporation August 12, 1887, with a capital stock of 
twenty-five thousand dollars. Fred H. Smith, a native of Illinois, now President of 
the company, being of a mechanical turn of mind, invented the Webster Wind Mill, 
some five years since, but during that time, had not been able to place it upon the 
market until the organization of the house last Angust. The plant of this new 
enterprise occupies a brick building 40x60 feet in dimensions, located on the 
northwest corner of Joy and Hickory streets. The works are fitted up with the 
lateat and most approved machinery known to the art of pump making and the man- 
ufadture of wind mills. In the various details of the business the combined services 
of seven men are required, producing upon an average, forty wind mills per month, 
besides two car loads of pumps. A permanent trade has already been established 
in the States of Kansas, Missouri and Colorado, with bright prospects for extension 
into more remote territory. Pumps and wind mill supplies constitute the special 
products of the establishment, the former of which are manufadlured at Rockford, 
111., and adjusted here. The company are also agents for Frank Ward's celebrated 
iron pumps and cylinders, and tubular well supplies. W. E. RatlifF is a native of 
Indiana, and has since resided in this city for five years, having grown up in the 
pump business, and following the plumbing industry prior to his connection with 
this house. T. C. Webster is a native of New York, and has resided in Kansas City 
twenty years. He formerly served as book keeper for the firms of English & 
Brothers, and Smith & Keating, and since the inception of the present house has 
proven an efficient officer, devoting his energies to the company's interest. 

Walter A. Wood Mowing and Reaping MacJiine Company.— 

Fadlories, Hoosick Falls, New York; Depot Warehouse, 1201 to 1200 West Tenth 
Street, Kansas City. — It is a fitting tribute to the commanding position that Kansas 



2i8 Th:^ Industries of Kansas City. 



City holds as an industrial center, that such an important Eastern company as the 
Walter A. Wood Mowing and Reaping Machine Co., should_establish one of their main 
depots at this point. This grand industry was founded in 1853 by Mr. Walter A. 
Wood, and upon its incorporation in 1866, a capital stock of $[,000000 was involved 
in the enterprise. Its trade covers, as the saying goes, every region where grain 
and grass is grown, and amounts to many million dollars. At the faAories over 
1000 workmen are in the employ, the buildings and plant covering an area of sev- 
eral acres. A capacity out-put of 55,000 machines annually is the enormous pro- 
duct of this establishment. Mr. S. P. Carlton is the company's general agent in 
charge of the Kansas City depot, which was established in 1878, for the purpose of 
facilitating the vast trade which the company held in territory tributary to Kan- 
sas City. The warehouse here is a substantial brick building, six floox's, 8ox 100 
feet in dimensions, containing 30,000 square feet storage room, and completely 
equipped with every modern convenience, such as elevators, railroad switches, etc. 
Mr. Carlton's long experience in this line eminently fits him for the efficient con- 
du6l of this business. He has been a resident of Kansas City since taking charge 
of the company's affairs at this point. He was formerly connedted with the Moline 
Plow Co., as traveling salesman, and has been connedted with the company now 
under special notice since 1878. He is the right man in the right place. 

Western Flour Company.— Flour, Meal and Mill-Stuff; Room 3, Mer- 
chants' Exchange, Fifth and Delaware Streets; L. C. Ayers, Manager. — This busi- 
ness was established in 1885, and under Mr. Ayer's management has resulted in a 
deservedly great success. Two assistants are in the employ of the company. A 
large and constantly increasing trade is held all through the States of Missouri, 
Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, lyouisiana and Georgia, and extending into adjacent ter- 
ritory. Mr Ayers has been a resident of Kansas City since 1881. He is well and 
favorably known in commercial circles here. He is reliable, and exercises honor- 
able business methods in all hie dealings. His success is due to business sagacity 
and probity. 

Whiteside & Jarvis. — Real Estate, Loan and Bond Brokers ; 509 Delaware 
Street. — Prominent alike for the magnitude of their transadlions and the superior 
efficiency upon which they conduct their business, the firm of Whiteside & Jar- 
vis is one 01 the most popular and prosperous of the real estate firms of the city. 
Its individual members are Messrs. W. H. Whiteside and Frank Jarvis, and the bus- 
iness was originally established in 1878 by the firm of S. F. Scott & Co., of which 
Mr. Whiteside was a member, and under which style the business was conducted 
until March ist, 1S86, when the present firm was formed. They have enjoyed alarge 
patronage from the inception of the firm to the present time, and during the last 
twelve months have made upward of 4,000 transfers. The largest transaction made 
by the firm was one consummated a few months ago in the sale to a syndicate with 
which they were connedted, of 1,148,000 acres in Mexico along the Rio Grande for 
$574,000, and another tradt known as Vanderbilt Place, immediately south of the 
city, consisting of eighty acres, for $101,000, which was also sold to the syndicate, by 
whom it was surveyed out into 800 lots and put into the hands of this firm for sale. 
Other transadlions condudled by the firm, were the sale of Martin Place on East 
Bottoms, consisting of ten acres and comprising 105 lots, which they disposed of in 
thirty days ; Randolph Heights, situated in Clay County at the north end of the 
Milwaukee Railroad bridge, comprising twenty-four acres, of which 100 lots were 
sold in sixtv days ; London Heights, situated along the elevated railroad in Wyan- 
dotte, composed of 400 lots, of which 100 have been sold. The firm is also inter- 
ested in 16,000 acres near Leavenworth, Kas., for which they paid $176,000, the entire 
tradt being underlaid with coal. This transadtion is said to have advanced the 
prices in the real estate market of Leavenworth 100 per cent. The firm is also 
largeh' interested in real estate in Horton, Kas., a town one and a half ^-ears old, 
eighty miles from Kansas City on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, 
with 2,500 inhabitants, and where is located the Rock Island Railroad shops. The 
firm sold 550 lots there within twenty days and have 350 yet to sell, ranging in price 
from $100 to $250. Mr. J. R. Wallace is located at Horton as resident agent of the 
firm. The thorough and pradtical knowledge possessed by these gentlemen of 
matters pertaining to real estate, and the many opportunities they have for favor- 
able dealings, make this firm a favorite medium for investors of capital, and they 



The Industries of Kansas City. 219 



do a thriving business, handling large ranches throughout the West, as well as deal- 
ing in city and town property in all the growing portions of Kansas and Missouri. 
Mr. Whiteside of this firm, is an Indianian, and prior to coming to Kansas City in 
1878, had been engaged in the banking business as cashier of the People's Bank of 
Logansport, Ind., and also as cashier of the First National Bdnk, of Wabash, Ind. 
Mr. Jarvis is a native of Ohio, and came to Kansas City in April, 1886, from Green- 
wood County, Kansas, where he owns a large sheep ranch. He was also engaged 
in the woolen manufacturing business in Ohio prior to coming West. Being gen- 
tlemen of large resources aud thorough business habits and closely attending to 
every commission placed in their hands, the firm occupies a deserved promi- 
nence among the leading operators in realtj' in the West. 

Western Sash and Door Company. — Wholesale Dealers in Sash, 
Doors, Blinds, Mouldings, etc. ; Nineteenth and Wyoming Streets. — With the advance 
©f civilization and growth of commercial communities, every industry that sub- 
serves and enhances the comforts and elegance of homes, stands first in the order 
of conveniences that go to make human existence enjoyable. Wood-working may 
be classed as among one of these important industries, and the Western Sash and 
Door Co., is an example in point, as its produdl is of that class that is essential 
to the constru6lion of comfortable homes, convenient and elegant business and 
public buildings, etc. The enterprise now under special notice was established here in 
1881, and duly incorporated in 1882 with the following officers controlling its affairs: 
Messrs. Fred Huttig, President ; C. F. W. Huttig, Vice-President ; Charles H. Hut- 
tig, Secretary and Treasurer, and William Huttig, Manager, with a capital stock of 
$100,000. There are one hundred men in the employ of the company upon an 
average weekly pay-roll of $1,300. This industry is an off-shoot of the great parent 
house of Muscatine, la., which was founded upwards of twenty years ago. A simi- 
lar establishment was also located in St. Louis in 1885. The trade of the Kansas 
City house covers the States of Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Nebraska, Colorado, 
Texas, and the Indian Territory, and New Mexico, with a steady increase in the 
volume of trade. The product of this concern consists mainly in regular and special 
sizes of sash, doors, blinds, mouldings, interior finish and fancy wood-work of every 
description. The plant of the company, inckiding fadtory, warehouses, etc., covers 
an area of two and one-half acres, and is completely supplied with every modern 
machine, appliance and convenience for the prompt and efficient execution of the 
work and the expeditious manipulators of their goods. Messrs. Fred, and C. F. W. 
Huttig are residents of Muscatine, la., in charge of the business at that point. Mr. 
C. H. Huttig resides at St. Louis, Mo., in charge of the affairs of that branch of the 
industry, and Mr. William Huttig, Jr., is the resident manager of the Kansas City 
house. Under his careful diredlion this model establishment has won laurels for 
the management, and bids fair to rival the parent house in time, and scoring another 
point for the Gate City. 

Wimbush & Powell. — Real Estate Brokers ; Room 211, Alamo Building, 
Corner of Seventh and Delaware Streets. — This firm ranks among the most suc- 
cessful of all Kansas City's successful real estate dealers. The gentlemen com- 
posing it came here from the East about nine years ago, with a full appreciation of 
what the future of Kansas City would be, and by courage, perseverance and stridl 
attention to business have gained an enviable position amongst those who have 
watched their career. Notwithstanding the many set-backs they have encountered 
they have, by their keen judgment, conservative and business habits, built up a bus- 
iness at present amounting to $2,000,000 annaully. They have been interested in 
large organizations and are now acflively engaged in building the town of Birming- 
ham — or as they call it, " The Pittsburg of the West," a new manufadluring center 
about nine miles northeast of Kansas City on four trunk, lines, where they offer 
immense advantages to any manufa<flurer looking Westward, and ask correspondence 
from them. The Kansas City Car and Wheel Works are already located at Birming- 
ham, and cover thirty-five acres of land. These works will employ 1,000 to 1,500 
men when in full running order. They are in correspondence with other manu- 
fadlurers; and it is not too much to say that Birmingham is destined to be a town of 
4,000 or 5,000 people within a short time. Lots can be bought there now at almost 
acreage prices. Six months ago it was a corn field ; to-day it is the busiest place in 
the Missouri Valley. H. A. Wimbush is the senior, and A. W. Powell the junior 



220 The Industries of Kansas City. 



members of this firm. Thej- were both organizers of the Kansas City Bank Note 
Co., and feel proud of the success attained by that institution. Their business is 
principally carried on with Kentucky and Boston capital, and they have a large 
Bastern correspondence. 

George Swartz. — Wholesale Lumber; Room 307 Journal Building, Corner 
of Tenth and Walnut Streets. — This substantial industry was established in 1886 by 
Messrs. Swartz & Graves, but on November 7th, 1887, Mr. Swartz assumed full con- 
trol of the business, and it has since been condudled in his name. The business 
was first carried on at the Williard Building, corner of Ninth and Broadway, but 
was removed to its present location in January, 1888. Mr. Swartz makes a specialty 
of white pine lumber and carries large stocks of lumber at different points in the 
North, principally in Wisconsin and Minnesota, for which he finds an excellent 
market in this city and through the States of Missouri and Kansas, as he ships it 
in. Mr. Swartz is thoroughly posted in all the details of his business, having been 
connedled for some time with the Eau Claire Ivumber Co., of Eau Claire, Wis., and 
having also been a traveler in this line of business. He has spent fifteen years in 
the lumber business altogether, and has been three years in Kansas City, where he 
is spoken of very highlj', both as a business man and a citizen. 

Standard Implement Company.— O. B. Dodge, President; A. G. Bod- 
well, Vice-President and Treasurer; H. K. Wolcott, Secretary; Jobbers of Agricul- 
tural Implements, Wagons, Buggies and Carriages ; 1312 to 1318 West Twelfth 
Street. — The fortunate location of Kansas City in a position making it a central 
source of supply for the richest and most prolific agricultural region of the West, 
and its unequalled railroad facilities, make it a superior market for agricultural 
implements and all articles used by farmers, and as a consequence, a large trade of 
this chara6ter has been attra6led to tliis center. Prominent among the business 
establishments making a specialty of the supply of agricultural implements, wag- 
ons, buggies and carriages is the Standard Implement Co., incorporated in 1882, the 
stockholders of which are the Grand Detour Plow Co., of Dixon, 111., the firm of 
Emerson, Talcott & Co., of Rockford, 111., the Newton Wagon Co., of Batavia, 111., 
and Mr. A. G. Bodwell, of this city. The premises occupied by the company 
embrace a five-story and basement building, 96 x 100 feet in dimensions, eligibly 
located with switch tracks and every facility for the receipt, handling and shipment 
of goods, and in this establishment is constantly carried a large and completely diver- 
sified stock of the most approved agricultural implements, including the celebrated 
Grand Detour plows and cultivators, the Standard mowers, rakes and cultivators, 
Newton wagons, buggies, carriages, etc., and a full line of farm machinery of all 
kinds. Eighteen clerks and assistants are em ployed in the house, and five traveling 
salesmen of wide acquaintance and extended experience represent the company in 
its trade territory, which covers Kansas and Missouri completely, and also includes 
a considerable business in Colorado, Indian Territorj- and New Mexico. Mr. O. B. 
Dodge, the President of the company, is a resident of Dixon, 111., and Secretary and 
Treasurer of the Grand Detour Plow Co. at that place, and Mr. H. K. Wolcott, the 
Secretary, resides at Batavia, 111., where he is Secretary and Treasurer of the New- 
ton Wagon Co. Mr. A. G. Bodwell, Vice-President and Manager, has resided in this 
city for the past twenty-two years, and is well known as a reliable business man, 
thoroughly acquainted with all the details of this business, and to his efficient 
supervision is due, in a large measure, the great and steadily increasing growth of 
the business in the territory covered. 

Bradbeer & Jenkins. — Dealers ia Fine Wall Papers, Room Mouldings, 
Window Shades, Etc.; 902 Grand Avenue. — This business was established in Au- 
gust, 1887, by the present proprietors, Messrs. W. W. Bradbeer and Paul Jenkins, 
and their trade has already become very satisfactory. They deal in all kinds of 
fine papers, including Lincrustra Walton, woolen plastics, brocatelles, pressed 
papers, velvets, velours, foreign and domestic varnished papers, leather papers, 
bronzes, etc. Their stock of iridescent papers, ingrains and bronzes, is large and 
well selected. This house does one thing especially which can not fail to recom- 
mend itself to the public, namely : in buying all their fine papers in one-room lots, 
and by this means enabling their patrons to guard against duplicates of their rooms. 
Thej' are the only exclusive wall-paper house in the city, and by giving their indi- 



The Industries op Kansas City. 



221 



vidual attention to this one line the}- will soon place it beyond competition. Mr. 
W. W. Bradbeer, the senior partner, conies from the East, where he has had an ex- 
tensive experience in the business. Mr. Jenkins has been a resident of the city for 
twenty years, and was formerly connected with the Traders' Bank. They have thus 
far gained an enviable reputation for honorable dealing, and their taste and work- 
manship is attested by many of our best residences. 

E. D. Hornbrook & Co. — Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Fine Gas 
Fixtures, Sanitary Plumbing, Steam and Hot Water Heating and Ventilation; 

1 2 1 2 and 1 2 14 Main Street, 
r Bayard Building. — The 

I partners in this flourish- 

ing business are Messrs. 
E. D. Hornbrook and L. 
B. Cross. It was estab- 
lished in 1879, by the en- 
terprising senior member 
of the firm, but in 1884 he 
associated Mr. Cross with 
him, and the firm assumed 
its present style. This is 
the largest business of its 
kind in the city, employ- 
ing, as it does, from sev- 
enty-five to one hundred 
hands, and doing an an- 
nual business of $150,000. 
Their premises comprise 
the first floor and base- 
ment of a building 45x1 10 
feet in dimensions, and 
having the largest plate 
glass windows in the city, . 
while their trade extends 
over the State of Kansas 
and Missouri, besides be- 
ing very large in the city. 
They make specialties of 
steam and hot water heat- 
ing, and keep one of the 
finest stocks of gas fix- 
tures to be found any 
where outside of New 
York City or Philadelphia, 
and they enjoy the reputa- 
tion of being one of the 
most substantial and reli- 
able houses in the West. Mr . Hornbrook is a native of Wheeling, W. Va., and is a 
practical mechanic, both as regards steam and hot water heating and plumbing, 
having served his time at the bench and in the shops. He came to this city about 
eight years ago, and is one of the most enterprising business men of the city. 
Mr. Cross is from Canton, Ohio, and was for fifteen years conne6led with the well- 
known firm of Thackera, Sons & Co., manufacturers of gas fixtures, etc., Philadel- 
phia, Pa. He came to Kansas City about ten months ago, and is recognized as an 
energetic and thorough- going merchant. We take pleasure in commending this 
firm to public patronage, as it is eminently deserving of such high favor on account 
of the reliable business methods adopted in all its dealings and its high commercial 
standing here. 

F. P. Strickland & Co.— Wholesale Dealers in Yellow Pine; Room 29, 
Sheidley Building, Corner of Ninth and Main Streets. — The members of this 
prominent lumber firm are F. P. Strickland, A. J. Hibbs, and G. W. Smith, who 
established this business in Kansas City, in April, 1887. This firm makes contracts 




222 The Industries op Kansas City. 



with mills, agreeing to take the year's produdlion and then they sell the lumber to 
dealers throughout the country. In 1887 they handled twenty-three million feet of 
lumber and every year the quantity which they handle is enormous ; the bulk of it 
going to Kansas City and the Southwest. They make a specialty of yellow pine, 
but also handle oak lumber and oak posts and some cypress, while they give but 
little attention to fancy hardwood. Their business is done entirely in car loads, 
and they sell only to dealers, doing nothing in a small or retail way. Mr. Strick- 
land has been in the lumber business all his life and formerly traveled out of Chi- 
cago in this line. Mr. A. J. Hibbs has his headquarters at Colmesnil, Tex., from 
which place he travels, arranging for the purchase of lumber. Mr. G. W. Smith 
lives in Brownsville, Mo., and is the strong capitalist of the firm. He has a lumber 
yard at Brownsville, to which he gives a large share of his attention. The firm is 
highly honorable and responsible, and has a splendid reputation among lumber- 
men, dealers and banters. 

Carl Spengler & Rom pel. — Wholesale Liquors and Cigars; 622 Dela- 
ware Street. — This is an old established and highly reputed house, having been 
successfully conducted ever since May i, 1871, when it was established by Mr. Carl 
Spengler. The business was inaugurated in premises on Fifth and Delaware 
streets, and in 1881 was removed to 418 Delaware street. In January of the present 
year Mr. M. J. Rompel became a member of the firm, which then assumed its 
present style, and in May removal was made to the premises now occupied by the 
firm at 622 Delaware street, comprising three floors, 28x128 feet in dimensions; 
and the firm also occupies one floor at 614 Delaware street, which is utilized as a 
wareroom for imported and domestic cigars. The firm carries on hand at all 
times a large stock and complete assortment of the finest brands of rye and Bour- 
bon whiskies, foreign and domestic wines, champagnes, brandies, gins, etc., and 
all articles usually found in a well stocked wholesale liquor store, in addition to 
which they are large dire(ft importers of the finest Havana cigars, and also deal 
largely in the best known brands of domestic cigars. Employment is given in the 
house to a force of twenty-two competent clerks and assistants, and ten traveling 
salesmen of wide acquaintance and extensive experience represent the firm in a 
trade territory covering Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Indian Territory 
and other Western States and Territories. Mr. C. Spengler, the founder of the 
house and head of the firm, is a thoroughly experienced and pra6lical man in the 
business which he has built up to its present gratifying condition of prosperity, 
and he still retains the cigar department of the business as his exclusive prop- 
erty. He is a substantial and successful citizen, and in addition to his investments 
in business, is an owner of a 500 acre stock farm on the Blue River, ten miles 
south of the city. Mr. Rompel has been engaged in the liquor business in various 
cities for the past sixteen years, and is a gentleman of superior business attain- 
ments. Thoroughly prompt and reliable in all their dealings, the firm has com- 
mended itself to the favor and patronage of the trade, and as a consequence the 
volume of its business is steadil}' growing. 

E. F. Fassett.— ArchitecT; ; 506 Rialto Building, Ninth Street and Grand 
Avenue. — Kansas Cit}' affords one of the best fields for the display of architedlural 
skill. The rapid development of the building interests here and the commendable 
taste displayed b}' our commercial classes in the construction of palatial edifices 
for business purposes, etc., make it profitable for the professional architect, who can 
design, plan and superintend in a manner agreeable to the advanced views of this 
progressive community. The subjedl of this sketch, Mr. E. F. Fassett is thoroughly 
educated in all the intricacies of this most important profession. His ofl&ce was 
established here in 1876, and with an experience of upwards of twenty years' 
pra<5tice, he is prepared to give the greatest degree of satisfaction to those requir- 
ing his services as an architedlural designer and to make accurate estimates on the 
cost of construction. His patronage, besides being largely local, extends all 
through Missouri and Kansas, and other western points. He hails from the 
state of Maine, and prior to engaging in business here, had been a(5lively plying 
his profession in Wisconsin, Colorado, and elsewhere. He is conversant with every 
detail of this busines, and is conscientious and painstaking in the execution of 
commissions entrusted to him ; his large and constantly increasing patronage 
being witness to the fadl of his efficiency. 



Thk Industries of Kansas City. 



223 



Deere, Mansur & Co. — Deere & Co., Moline, 111., A. Mansur, St. Louis, 
Mo., and G. W. Fuller, of Kansas City; Farm Machinerj', '-Joiin Deere " Plows and 

Cultivators, Etc.; 



DE 




Santa Fe, Tenth to 
Eleventh Streets.— 
This establishment 
is the Kansas City 
branch of the"John 
Dee re" Moline 
Plow Works, and 
was opened in 1869, 
as a medium for the 
sale of the plows 
and other farm im- 
plements made at 
the fadtory at Mo- 
line, 111., founded 
in the year 1847, by Mr. John Deere. The Kansas City branch is under the man- 
agement of Messrs. A. Mansur and G. W. Fuller, who with the firm of Deere & Co., 
of Moline, 111., form the firm of Deere, Mansur & Co. This house does a large busi- 
ness in the plows and implements manufadtured at the Moline works, supplying 
Western Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona with the "John 
Deere" implements, including plows, cultivators, planters, check rowers, stalk cut- 
ters, hay rakes, etc. Prominent among the goods handled by this firm, may be 
mentioned the following : The "John Deere " plow, leading all others in strength, 
durability, lightness of draft, quality of work, and ease of management ; the 
" Gilpin " sulky plow, which is a great favorite, and is of the Moline make ; as are 
also the "Deere" spring cultivator, the "Universal" cultivator, and the new, all steel 
"Columbia" cultivator. Another leading produ6l of this great fa6lory is the "New 
Deal " wheel walking plow, built with either one, two, three or four plows ; throw- 
ing the weight of the furrow upon the wheels, and with the frame of the machine 
as light as is compatible with sufficient strength. This plow has already attained 
great popularity, and has an enormous sale. They also sell the "Deere" rotary drop 
corn planters— the pioneer in successful rotary- drops, and still unequalled, the 
" Deere " and " Moline " stalk cutters, and the " Hoosier " drills ; all of which have 
proven the superiorit}' of their merits by the test of use. Beside the "John Deere " 
line of farming implements, Deere, Mansur & Co., do a very large business in farm 
and spring wagons, platform and spring trucks, carriages, carts, track sulkies, 
buckboards, mountain wagons, jump seats, etc. ; in which their stock is very large 
and complete, and without a competitor anywhere in the Southwest. The firm 
controls the siale of the " Mitchell " and " Old Hickory" farm and freight wagons 
in the entire Southwest. In hay machinery their line is complete, and seledled 
from the best known and most valuable of the inventions in this department. 
Without further enumeration, which would trench too much on space, it may be 
said in brief, that the stock of this great house is enormous as to size, and com- 
plete as to assortment. They occupy two large and commodious warehouses, on 
Santa Fe street and Eleventh streets, with side tracks owned by the firm, having 
a capacity of twelve cars atone time. They employ a force of thirty experienced 
men, and are represented by four travelers. During the season of 1887, the firm 
has noted a gratifying increase in the volume of its sales. The great popularity 
and high reputation of this house is due not only to the acknowledged superiority 
of its goods, but also to the systematic corredlness of its methods, the spirit of 
fairness and liberality which pervades its dealings, and its prompt attention to 
business. 

Ash Grove White Lime Association.— C. w. Goetz, President; w. 
B. Hill, Vice-President and General Manager; J. H. Barton, Secretary and Superin- 
tendent ; Works at Ash Grove and Everton, ]Mo. ; Principal <Office and Depot, 
Northwest Corner of Missouri and Grand Avenues, Kansas City. — This important 
western enterprise had its inception in 1881, at Ash Grove, Mo., and was duly 
incorporated in 1882 with the above-named ofiicers appointed to condudl the affairs 
of the association. The purposes and business of this organization are the manu- 
facflure of the justly celebrated Ash Grove lime, and dealing at wholesale in foreign 



224 Tun Industries of Kansas City. 



and domestic cements, Michigan, New York, Iowa and dental plasters, washed and 
standard hair, white sand, masons' materials of every description, fire brick, fire 
clay, sewer pipe, etc. The company are also special western agents for Louisville 
cement, which is the standard cement of the United States, and is justly entitled 
to the highest merits claimed for it. This company owns and operates a completely 
equipped modern plant at Ash Grove, Mo., together with sixty acres of superior 
lime stone quarry that assays 99 16-100 per cent, carbonate of lime and is unequaled 
in quality of its product by any other limestone in the country. Works are also 
located at Everton, Mo., which have a capacity of one-fourth that of the Ash Grove 
piant. The combined facilities of these works afi"ord an output capacity of 1,200 
barrels per diem, and the company contemplates enlarging their means the coming 
season so as to obtain a full capacity of 2,000 barrels of lime daily, quite equal to any 
similar industry in the United States. Kansas City's advantages as a distributing cen- 
ter for the great West, induced this enterprising company to locate headquarters here 
and a trade has been legitimably secured that reaches west to the Pacific Coast, 
south to Texas, north to Iowa and Nebraska and eastward is barely limited by the 
Mississippi river. Ash Grove is located on the Fort Scott & Gulf Railway, 180 miles 
from Kansas City, and as this great trunk line is the most important trade artery 
southward, its generous patronage is readily availed of by this company, as well as 
other leading industries of the Southwest. Mr. C. W. Goetz, the President, is of 
the firm of Goetz & Cobb, well known lime and cement dealers of St. Louis. He is 
a gentleman of sterling business qualifications, and rare commercial integrity, and 
recognized as such both at home and abroad. Mr. W. B. Hill, the genial Vice- 
President and General Manager, is a practical business man, eminently fitted for 
the responsibilities of his high position. Many new processes for lime burning 
have been introduced by this company, which enable them to place their product 
upon the market free from the usual imperfecflions. These methods insure the 
proper degree of burning, thereby avoiding the destrudtion of the cementing qual- 
ities of the lime. Mr. J. H. Barton, the efficient Secretary, is the right man in the 
right place, and for practical business sagacity and gentlemanly demeanor has few 
equals in the West. 

J. T. Caples Hardware Company.— Hardware, Stoves, House Furnish- 
ng Goods, Tin and Metal Work a Specialty ; 1737 Grand Avenue. — This business 
was established on September ist, 1887, by the present enterprising partners, 
Messrs. J. T. Caples, J. C. Bledsoe, and J. E. Caples, and the trade of the house is 
already most gratifying, the quality of their stoves, house furnishings and hard- 
ware, and the prices at which they are sold, having taken the market by storm, 
while their tin and metal work is superior to anything previously seen in Kansas 
City or the West. The business occupies the basement and first floor of a building 
50x115 feet, and eight clerks and salesmen are employed behind its counters. 
Mr. J. T. Caples has been in Kansas City since 1878, and was formerly with C. W. 
Fairman, and also with Weis & Ridge of this city, and is thoroughly posted in all 
the details of the business. Mr. Bledsoe was a well-known stock man of Lafay- 
ette County, Mo. before entering this business, and has been a year in the city. 
Mr. J. E. Caples has been here since 1878 and was formerly a traveling salesman in 
the hardware business. Both he and Mr. J. T. Caples are natives of Ohio and are 
adlive and enterprising business men. The specialty of this house is the justly 
celebrated Abram Cox furnaces, known by the trade names of "Novelty" and 
" Splendid Novelty," and as the names indicate, they are novelties in their way, 
possessing the splendid qualities claimed for satifacflory service, simplicit}'^ and 
economy. 

Richardson & Heins.— Proprietors of the Star Planing Mill and Manu- 
fa<flurers of Sash, Doors and Blinds ; Southwest Corner of Twenty-third Street 
and Broadway. — This important industrial enterprise was established in 1877, by 
Mr. A. Richardson, but in 1878 he associated Mr. Henry Heins with him in the 
business, under the above name and style. Their fadtory is a two-story brick, 
100 X 120 feet in dimensions, and is fixed up with all the best and most modern 
machinery for the manufadlure of lumber, and sash, doors, blinds, etc. ; the power 
being supplied by a seventy-five horse-power engine. They have a large lumber 
yard in which they carry a full and seledled stock of lumber for their own use, and 
also a dry kiln for drying their lumber preparatory to using it in their manufa<5lured 



The Industries of Kansas City. 225 



goods. This is an important adjnn(5t to their business, as it enables them to keep 
a large stock of well dried and seasoned lumber on hand, and guarantees to theif 
customers that the sash, doors, etc. supplied by them, will keep their size, shape and 
place and not shrink away or warp up. They employ fifty hands and their pay-roll 
foots up $700.00 per week, while their business amounts to over $100,000 annually, 
and extends over the city, Kansas, Missouri, and other points. The firm is highly 
spoken of everywhere and enjoys the reputation of being one of the most reliable 
and honorable houses in the city, while for the quantity and quality of work done, 
it is undoubtedly the leading concern in its line in the place. Mr. Richardson has 
been in Kansas City for twelve years, and came from St. Louis, where he was for- 
merly engaged in this business, as he was also in Kansas for a time. He is a native 
of Massachusetts and is a live enterprising business man. Mr. Heins is a native of 
Germany and was formerly a skillful carpenter. He came to America a long time 
ago and has been in Kansas City for twenty years. His pra6lical knowledge of 
the details of the business are a further guarantee of the excellent work done in 
this fa<5lory. 

Baker & Lapsley; — Fire insurance. Real Estate and Loans; Rooms i and 
2 Baird Building, Corner of Sixth and Wyandotte Streets. — The members of this 
firm are Messrs. Chas. W. Baker and Geo. H. Lapsley. They give a great deal of 
attention to fire insurance in the city and vicinity, and are agents for the Imperial, 
of London, Eng. ; the German-American, of New York; the Etna, of Hartford ; the 
Merchants, of Newark, N. J., and the Providence- Washington, of Providence, R. I. 
Mr. Baker has been here two years and has had charge of this agency for about one 
year. This agency was formerly known as the Williamson 'agency and dates its 
history back nearly twenty years. Mr. Baker represented all these companies for 
about twenty years in Mexico, Mo. Mr. Lapsley has been acftively engaged in busi- 
ness in Kansas City fourteen years, and was formerly of the firm of J. A. Cooper 
& Co., latterly succeeded by Patterson, Bell & Co., wholesale dealers in boots and 
shoes, of which firm he was a member up to the time of their dissolution. He has 
been two years in the insurance business. Messrs. Baker and Lapsley also do an 
extensive real estate trade. They have valuable blocks of improved and unim- 
proved city property at their disposal, suitable both for business and residences, as 
well a large list of tarm property. Mr. Baker has also a large amount of property 
at his old home at Mexico, Mo. They also negotiate loans on property in Kansas 
and Missouri and invest Eastern capital. They can give the very best of references 
as to ability and responsibility. 

Rogers, Binnian & Co.— Wholesale Lumber Office, corner of Ninth 
Street and Broadway ; Headquarters, Peoria, 111. — The partners in this enterprise 
are Messrs. Jas. A. Rogers, W. H. Binnian and T. H. Rogers, who is manager of the 
Kansas City branch. The yards and headquarters of this company are at Peoria, 
111., and their lumber is all sawed in the Northern forests, and shipped to consum- 
ing points all over the country. Kansas City, however, with her immense build- 
ing operations, called for more than ordinary attention from so large a lumber 
firm, and they established a branch office here under the efficient management of 
Mr. T. H. Rogers, and the business has been highly satisfa<5lory from the first. 
The parent firm has been in existence for thirty years, and the Kansas City branch 
for two years. They make specialties of white and yellow pine lumber and the 
Kansas City office has a large and profitable trade with retail dealers all over 
Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, besides supplying immense quantities to the trade 
in the city. Messrs. Jas. A. Rogers and W. H. Binnian are residents of Peoria, 
111., and are celebrated all over the country as the owners of one of the most impor- 
tant lumber industries in the Union. Mr. T. H. Rogers, the manager of the Kansas 
City branch, has a high reputation among business men, both for his superior 
business abilities and his honorable business methods and pradlices. 

BIOSS & Smith —Art Stained Glass for Churches, Halls, Public Build- 
ings, Dwellings, etc. ; 1306 Main Street. — The partners in this prosperous enter- 
prise are Messrs. A. H. Bloss and A. M. Smith, who established the business in 
March, 1887. They make a specialty of the finest first-class work in art stained 
glass for churches, halls, public buildings, dwellings, etc., and special water color 
designs are furnished upon application. All the work done by this house displays 



226 THii Industries of Kansas City. 



designs as rich and beautiful and workmanship as fine and artistic as is to be seen ' 
in any city on the continent, a specialty being made of jeweled mosaics for house deco- 
ration. Their fa6tory is a building 25x75, in which they employ six of the most 
skilful mechanics, under the supervision of Mr. A. M. Smith, who is himself one 
of the finest workmen in this line to be found in the United States. Their trade 
is already large, owing to the great popularity of their work, and extends over 
Missouri and Kansas, besides a fine city business. Mr. Bloss is a resident of 
Worcester, Mass., where he is proprietor of the Island House. Mr. A. M. Smith 
has full charge and management of the business and it could not possibly be in 
better or abler hands, for he has large business abilities in addition to being an ex- 
pert in every department of the stained glass art, which he mastered thoroughly in 
Cleveland. He is a native of Ohio and has been two years in Kansas City. 

Kansas City Branch of The Birdsell Manufacturing Co.— 

South Rend, Indiana ; Manufacturers of Clover Hullers, Carriages and Wagons ; 
1416 and 1418 West Eleventh Street : — -The fame of the Birdsell Manufacturing Co. 
has beco ne world wide, and its products reach almost every portion of the civilized 
world. This mammoth enterprise, involving a capital stock of a quarter of a mil- 
lion of dollars, is situated at South Bend, Ind., the largest manufaAuring city of its 
size in the Union. It was incorporated in 1870, with the following officers : J. C. 
Birdsell, President; J. C. Birdsell, Jr., Secretary; and J. B. Birdsell, Treasurer. 
The Kansas City branch was not established until 1885, when Mr. T. D. Fleming, a 
native of South Bend, Indiana, removed to this city, and in the name of the com- 
pany organized this house, which from its importance, claims special mention 
among the city's prominent industries. The building used as a repository for the 
manufacturers of the parent house, is located at 1416 and 1418 West Eleventh street, 
and consists of a fine five-story brick structure with basement, 60x110 feet in dimen- 
sions, of which the capacity of two and one-half floors, or 16,500 square feet of floor 
space, is available to the company. The establishment is fully equipped with every 
facility for the prosecution of its business, including a convenient side track from 
one of the prominent trunk lines passing the rear of the premises, thus providing 
a ready means for the receipt and shipment of goods. A competent force of persons 
of which three are commercial travelers, is employed by this branch, whose trade 
is principally throughout the States of Kansas and Missouri, and steadily advancing 
into other territory, while the annual volume of business exceeds one hundred 
thousand dollars. The specialties of the house are, clover hullers, carriages and 
wagons, the former of which have gained for the home enterprise wide fame, and 
great credit is due Mr. Fleming for the masterly management of the company's 
affairs in this city. 

The Land Title Guarantee Company.— Samuel M.Jarvis, President; 

Geo. W. McCrary, Vice-President ; Jefferson Brumback, Counsel ; Theo. S. Case, 
Secretary and Treasurer ; J. A. Painter, Superintendent of AbstraAs ; Office, 706 
Wyandotte Street. — This concern was incorporated in the spring of 1887, with a 
capital of $250,000, and from twenty-five to fifty men are employed in its offices. 
The business is, at present, entirely in Jackson County titles. They give no 
abstracts, but furnish a certificate guaranteeing that the title, as furnished by them, 
is absolutely correCt. The value and importance of a land title company, in Kan- 
sas City, where land transfers are so numerous and the amounts involved so large, 
cannot be over estimated. This company is worthy of the most liberal patronage 
that a land dealing public can give them. Their examinations of titles are made 
by experts and revised by the best legal talent, and they furnish titles within from 
two to ten days, while their charges are not greater than those ordinarily paid. 
Litigation over defeClive titles will decrease in the proportion that their business 
increases. 

W A. Stiles' & Co. — General Railway Contractors; Room 15, Common- 
wealth Building, 319 West Ninth Street. — This important industrial enterprise is 
one of the characteristic features of the grand progress in the development of our 
Western railroad sj-stems. This enterprising firm was organized and established 
in 1885. The inrl'ividual members are Messrs. W. A. Stiles, V. H. Stiles, and G. E. 
Stiles, and their business consists in railroad construction in all its phases, making 
a specialty of supplying railroad ties and piling. An ample force of experienced 



The Industries of Kansas City. 227 



workmen and mechanics are employed and the greatest' care is exercised in the 
execution of all contradls undertaken by the firm. For experience, sound judg- 
ment and honorable business methods, this firm have not a superior in the United 
States. They are possessed of every modern machine and appliance used in rail- 
road construdlion, besides many new methods of operating which have been 
adapted ia expediting and perfecting their work, the result of long years of experi- 
ence and careful observation. Mr. \V. A. Stiles, the senior of the firm, is a resi- 
dent of Washington, la. He has made railroad work a life-long occupation, and is 
considered an adept in his line by all who know him, and their name is legion. His 
associates in business, Msssrs. V. H. and G. E. Stiles, are residents of Kansas City 
and are also highly efficient in this work, which requires more than ordinary skill 
and energy in its execution. On the whole, a more painstaking and reliable concern 
does not exist in America than the one now under special notice. Their busi- 
ness has prospered to a degree highly encouraging to themselves and to the entire 
satisfa6tion of those that have engaged their valuable services. Their field of 
operation extends all through the States of Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas, and 
the volume of their business is steadily on the increase. 

Kaw Valley Lumber Company.— P. C. Atkinson, Manager; whole- 
sale Dealers in Railroad Lumber; Southeast Corner of Ninth Street and Broad- 
way. — This important Western enterprise was founded January ist, 1887. The 
lumber and material handled by this company consists of Mississippi long leaf 
yellow pi lie car sills, white and yellow pine, oak and cypress piling, cedar and oak 
posts, oak ties and bridge timbers ; a specialty being made of long timbers ior 
culvert and bridges. Bills of timber are sawed to order with care and dispatch; the 
utmost attention being puid to accuracy in measurements and prompt delivery of 
orders, and a stock of oak piling is constantly on hand for prompt shipment. The 
trade of this concern embraces the Western States and all railroads centering in 
Kansas City. Supplying railroad lumber material to railroad contra6lors is another 
special feature of this business for which the firm have unsurpassed facilities. 
Mr. P. C. Atkinson, the efficient and popular manager of this enterprising concern, 
has been a lesident of this city for upward of nine years. He is thoroughly con- 
versant with every detail of the railroad lumber business, and is a clear headed, 
pra6lii al business man, who spares no pains or expense in meeting the growing 
demands upon the business under his dire<5lion, in providing all necessary supplies 
for furthering the interests of railroad constru6tions. The annual trade of this 
firm amounts to $250,000, and is experiencing a steady and healthy growth in the 
volume of business, by reason of that care and sound judgment that has always 
chara(5lerized its management since the inception of the enterprise. 

J. A. McCoy.— Real Estate; Room 11, No. iii West Ninth Street— This 
business was established by Mr. McCoy in 1885, and has been highly satisfactory 
and steadily increasing since the day of commencement. He does a large trade in 
exchanging all kinds of cily property for farm land, stock ranches and merchandise, 
does a fine commission business in improved and unimproved inside city propert}', 
and also in popular suburban additions, and his trade is spread out over both Kan- 
sas and Missouri. Mr. McCoy is a native of Ohio, but has lived in Kansas since 
1859, and in this city since 1883. He was formerly engaged in the hotel business, 
but left it for the more lucrative one of real estate in Kansas Citj-. He is a thorough 
and highly responsiple business man, and stands well in commercial circles. 

Kansas City Roofing Company. — Manufacturers of Felt and Gravel 
Roofing ; Kansas City Office, Room 32 Schutte Building, Corner of Twelfth Street 
and Grand Avenue. — This thriving industry was established in 1879 by Marcus C. 
Gilchill, under whose management it remained until October, 1887, when it came 
into the hands of the present company and was placed under the efficient manage- 
ment of Mr. Alex. Walsh. The company's warehouse is located on the corner of 
Twenty fourth and Penn streets, and they employ a number of hands in the con- 
struction of felt and gravel roofs. They have a large and profitable trade through 
the entire States of Missouri and Kansas, and their work is very highly spoken of 
wherever seen. Mr. Walsh is a practical man himself, besides being an able and 
energetic business man, and was formerly with the parent company in St. Louis 
before coming to Kansas City to take charge of this important industry. 



228 



The Industries op Kansas City. 



r p£?i"*^'^"®f fuggy Company.-GeorgeM. Peters; C. D. Firestone; O. 
G.Peters, Manufadturers of Buggies; Headquarters, Columbus, O. ; A. Zartman 




i^TSsfnnH tl '^'^^^'^''''^'^^^^^^"^^St^^^t.-^ branch was established 
busfrfe.rw "la^f gement of the present able and successful head, and its 

business has grown to the healthy proportions of |4oo,ooo per annum. This 



Thk Industries of Kansas City. 229 



branch employs ten men in its warerooms and keeps two travelers on the road. 
They make a specialty of the Brewster cross springs side bar buggy, and have an 
extensive and profitable trade throughout Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, 
New Mexico and Colorado which has been worked up by the Kansas City branch 
and is supplied by it. The business in this city requires a building 48x115, and 
three stories and basement of these dimensions are occupied. This company holds 
the enviable position of being the first buggy manufadlurers of the country. The 
minutest details in their vehicles are looked after most carefully and critically, 
and points that are usually passed over as unimportant are made subjects of 
special attention by them, and every part of every vehicle is so well and perfedlly 
made by the most skilled workmen and the most perfected machinery that their 
buggies approach as nearly as is possible to the standard of perfection in vehicles 
of this class. Their gearing is all of selected, second-growth hickory, the wheels 
stridtly grade " A " and of their own making, the axles genuine steel and the 
springs oil tempered and warranted. They use heavy, rolled steel, instead of the 
usual iron on their shafts, and use more and heavier bolts in their shafts than any 
fadlor}' in the country. Their axle boxes are all ground to a perfedl fit and cannot 
rattle. They make all kinds of buggies, phaetons and speeding wagons, and make 
them as perfectly as they can be made out of the best materials the earth supplies. 
Mr. Zartman is a practical man, fully alive to the wants of the country and the 
interests of his trade, and is using his energy well in the wide field of country 
open to his trade. He is interested in a real estate syndicate here, and has a half 
interest in a flourishing boot and shoe business in Columbus, O. 

W. N. Nicholson. — Real Estate, Loans and Exchange; Room 209, Journal 
Building, Corner of Tenth and Walnut Streets. — The real estate business in Kansas 
City has been so profitable of late years that new blood is constantly flowing into 
the arteries of the trade, and many new houses are constantly springing up. But, 
as is always the case, many of these are built upon sand and not upon good valuable 
corner lots and do not stand long. On the other hand some adlive far-seeing busi- 
ness men come into the trade and they stay and make money. Mr. Nicholson is a 
typical man of this class, and though he opened his office only three months ago, 
there are many old houses in the business that can not boast as much trade. He 
makes specialties of farms, stock ranches, merchandise, etc., both buying and sell- 
ing and making exchanges for customers ; and those living outside of the city wish- 
ing to either dispose of their property or invest in real estate, should communicate 
with Mr. Nicholson. He has resided in Kansas Cit}- since August, 1887, and 
formerly lived in Ottawa, Kas., where he was engaged in the real estate business. 

Arkansas and Texas Lumber Company. — Wholesale Yellow Pine 
Ivumber; Southeast Corner of Ninth Street and Broadway — The partners in this 
company are Messrs. W. L. & B. Whitaker, C. M. Putnam and T. H. Garrett, and 
the business was established by them in March, 1887. One of the great wants of 
Kansas City has been lumber to feed the enormous consumption of this material by 
the extensive building operations continually going on, and no line of business is, 
therefore, more worthy to be represented in the "Industries of Kansas City," than 
this one, which has been a prominent fadtor in her growth. The Arkansas and 
Texas Lumber Co., is one of the most important lumber concerns in the city and 
ships large quantities of that material into the city as well as to points all over 
Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. They handle both the long and short leaf yellow 
pine and have branch offices at St. Louis, Mo.; Texarkana, Texas, and Omaha, 
Nebraska. Messrs. W. L. & B. Whitaker and T. H. Garrett are residents of Tex- 
arkana, Texas. Mr. C. M. Putnam is a resic'ent of this city and has charge of the 
business here and is one of the best business men in the entire city. The com- 
pany has a high reputation in commercial circles and with business men generally. 

Kansas City Milling Company.— Manufadlurers of High Grades of 
Flour on Full Roller System ; Corner of Twenty-Fourth Street and Broadway. — This 
important manufacfturing enterprise was established in 1881, and incorporated in 
1884 with a capital stock of $80,000, and with G. L. Brinkman, President; Joseph 
Miles, Vice-President ; C. H. Spilman, Secretary and Treasurer. The company's 
mill is a four-story strudlure, 55x70 feet, with basement, and is fitted up with all 
the most improved and modern machinery used in the produdlion of the celebrated 



230 The; Industries of Kansas City, 



roller system flour. It has a capacity of 650 barrels per day, aud gives employment 
to twenty-five hands, whose wages amount to $1,000 per month, but the company 
does the enormous business of half a million dollars annually. They ship their 
celebrated brand of flour, the Imperial Fancy Patent, manufadlured from the finest 
seledled wheat, to points all over Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, 
Mississippi, Louisiana, Illinois and Texas, and have a high reputation and a big 
sale for all their high grade of flours. Mr. G. L. Brinkman, the President, has 
lived in Kansas City for six years, and is interested in the grain and lumber busi- 
ness of Brinkman Bros, of Larned, Kas. ; also in the business of Brinkman Bros. & 
Gwinn, grain and lumber. Great Bend, Kas. ; and in Brinkman Bros. & Brown, 
grain and lumber, of St. John; Kas. He is a widely known and highly esteemed 
business man whose peer is not easily found. Mr. Joseph Mills, the Vice-President, 
is a native of Illinois, and has resided in Kansas City for six years. He has beeu 
in the milling business for the past eighteen years, and is a thorough and pradlical 
business man. Mr. C. H. Spilman, the Secretary and Treasurer, has lived three 
years in this city, and was formerly in the flour business in Chicago. He is a native 
of Boston, and is a clear headed business man and an able correspondent and 
financier. 

A. B. Strowger. — Undertaking aad Embalming; 615 Wyandotte Street. — 
This industry is one of the requisites of civilization, and under its benign influence 
has become a most scientific and important art. The present enterprise was estab- 
lished in 1883, by H. W. Hallet & Co., but was changed to its present firm-name, 
with A. B. Strowger and Alice M. Strowger as members, in 1886. It has been 
favored with a satisfadtory patronage from its incipiency, and by reason of the cor- 
redl methods employed in all its transactions, the intimate knowledge of the most 
intricate details of the bvisiness, with which each member of the firm is endowed, 
and the prompt and thorough manner with which all orders are attended to, this 
establishment has obtained a reputation w'hich gives assurance of its future success. 
It makes embalming a specialty, is possessed of all the most improved appliances, 
and enjoys all the facilities for the successful accomplishment of this most intricate 
branch of the business. Each member of the firm give their individual attention 
to all work of this nature entrusted to them, and, with years of experience and 
active operation, are enabled to give entire satisfadlion. 'They have been residents 
of Kansas City for a number of years, and have obtained a high standard in social 
and business circles. Mr. Strowger is a native of Rochester, X. Y., where he was 
for many years engaged in undertaking. In 1881 he moved to Topeka Kan., where 
he was engaged in the same avocation up to the time of coming to Kansas City, in 
1886. Mr. Strowger is also principal of the Kansas City School of Embalming, 
which is the only institution of its kind west of Chicago, and where the latest 
methods are taught. 

Charles Matt & Co.— Real Estate and Mining Brokers; Ofiice 118 West 
Sixth Street. — This firm consists of Charles Matt and O. B. Steen, and was 
established in January, 1886, although Mr. Matt was in the business, by him- 
self, for a year previously. They have a branch office in Tucson, Ariz., and cor- 
respondents in all Eastern cities. Their sales during 1887 aggregated $2,345,725. 
They have a full list of inside business and residence property, and they also 
handle mines and mining stocks. Their business also includes brokerage and 
buying and selling bank stocks. Mr. Matt is from Chicago and Mr. Steen from 
Louisville. Though they have not been long in this cit}% no men in their business 
are better or more favorably known than Charles Matt & Co. 

Kansas City and Southern Lumber Company.— D. H. Smith, 
President; A. H. Mann, Secretary; A. S. Fernald, Treasurer and Superintendent; 
E. E. Fernald, Manager of Kansas City Yard ; Manufadlurers of Cypress Lumber 
and Shingles and All Grades of Oak Lumber, and Dealers in Railroad Ties and 
Piling ; Office, 4 Willard Block, Corner of Ninth Street and Broadway. — This com- 
pany began business at Sedgwick, Ark., in 1S82, and were incorporated in the same 
year, with a capital stock of $40,000. In 1884 they opened up their business in 
Kansas Cit}-, and at once took the lead in the lumber business in their line at this 
place. They have saw mills at Sedgwick, Ark , fitted up with the best and mOst 
modern machiner}-, and furnishing employment to 150 men. Their yard, in this 



The Industries of Kansas City. 231 



city, is at 1927 Main street, where a number of hands are eraployed, and a large 
stock of the most excellent quality of cypress and oak lumber is constantly kept. 
Besides supplying millions of feet of lumber to the rapidly growing city, they ship 
great quantities all through the States of Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Arkan- 
sas. They make specialties of hardwood and cypress lumber, and also deal largely 
in railroad cross-ties aijd piling. Mr. E. A. Phillip, one of the original incorpora- 
tors and President of this company for four years, has been a resident of Kansas 
City for twenty years. He is a native of Ohio, and was formerly in the agricultural 
business. He is at present engaged in the railroad tie business by himself. Mr. 
A. S. Fernald has been in this city for four years. He is a native of New York, and 
was formerly engaged in the lumber business at Sedalia, Mo. Mr. E. E. Fernald, 
brother of the Treasurer, is manager of the company's yards at 1927 Main street.. 
He has also been here for four years, and was previously engaged with his brother 
in the lumber business at Sedalia, Mo. 

Hodgson & Son. — Architedls; Rooms 404,405 and 406 Rialto Building, 
Corner of Ninth Street and Grand Avenue. ^Kansas City, with her vast building 
operations, has attradted able architects as well as strong business men in every 
line of trade, but no more distinguished representatives of the grand art of archi- 
tecture have been drawn to this vigorous metropolis than the gentlemen whose 
names head this article, Mr. J. Hodgf on and his son, W. G. Hodgson, who opened 
their offices in the Rialto Building in August, 1887. It is sufficient to say of them 
that they have planned and erected buildings in diflferent large cities in the Union, 
ranging in value from three thousand up to millions of dollars, and that their reputa- 
tion as architects is such that it is not necessary to specify particular buildings or 
works that the}^ have constructed. They are now busy preparing plans for next 
summer's work for builders at points through Missouri and Kansas as well as in 
the city, and are destined to take a front place in the ranks of Western architects, 
at once. Mr. J. Hodgson is a native of England and has resided four months in 
in Kansas City. He came to America a young man, and settled in New York. He 
received a fine English education and has been an architedl all his life. Mr. W. O. 
Hodgson has been in Kansas City since August, 1887, and is a native of Indiana. 
The family is highly gifted with talents for architecture, and two other sons have 
charge of outside offices, Mr. E.J. Hodgson managing one in St. Paul, and J. Hodg- 
son, Jr., one in Omaha and Minneapolis. 

W. T. Johnston. — Real Estate; Room 10, Times Building, Corner of Ninth 
and Main Streets. — Among the most successful and enterprising real estate dealers 
of this city is Mr. W. T. Johnston. He is a native of Ireland, but emigrated to 
America as early as 1879, ^nd first settled in New York Cit}- where he clerked for 
the famous house of Lord & Taylor until 1885, when he came to Kansas City, and 
was for a time connected with a reliable real estate house, whose record of honor 
able dealing dated back to 1880. On June ist, 1887, Mr. Johnston withdrew and is 
now conducting business on his own account. Within the last four months the 
sales executed by this gentleman have amounted to over $200,000, and it is a well 
known fact that his many transadlions have universally met with the most satis- 
factory results, and a decided success has resulted from his well directed efforts in 
the management of his affairs. 

V. K. Sammons. — Manufacturer of Lounges, Spring Beds, Mattresses, 
Cots and Excelsior; Factory, 1306 and 130S West Eighth Street; Office, 919 Walnut 
Street. — This establishment, the largest of its kind m the city, was founded in 1878, 
by V. K. Sammons. A capital stock ot $50,000 is involved in the enterprise. A 
plant consisting of several commodious buildings contains the machinery, etc., 
used in the various departments of the industn,-. The main building is 50 x ico 
in dimensions and four stories in height, with an engine and machinery room 
50 X 100 feet, and a spacious lumber yard 75 x 200 feet. The premises are fully 
equipped with every kind of machinery and appliance known to the art. In the 
various departments of the establishment the combined services of fift3'-five per- 
sons are called into requisition, with a pay-roll of $600 per week, and an annual 
volume of business amounting to $150,000, which could be increased an additional 
$50,000, by running to the full capacity. A large local trade extending outward into 
the States of Kansas and Missouri, constitute at present its business territory, but the 



232 Ths Industries of Kansas City. 



characfler of the manufa<5lured goods, and the upright transadlions of the house are 
daily increasing its patronage. The principal manufadlures of this establishment 
are excelsior and woven-wire mattresses, of which a great variety is produced. Mr. 
V, K. Sammons is a native of New York, but more recently was connected with a 
Chicago house for five years, and he has resided in Kansas City nine years. He is 
an enterprising business man, and his line of industry is one of the useful as well 
as ornamental kinds. The manufadlures include everything in the line of mat- 
tiesses, lounges, couches, etc. 

Schrage & Nichols. — Archite6ls and Superintendents; Room 2, Bayard 
Building, 1214 Main Street.— Messrs. William F. Schrage and E. C. Nichols, com- 
posing this firm, are both thoroughly pra6tical and experienced architedls, and each 
had been engaged in the pradlice of the profession for a number of years prior to 
1887, when they associated themselves together in their present firm. The augmented 
activity of building in Kansas City and its suburbs aflfords a favorable field for their 
skill and knowledge, and the excellent reputation which each member had acquired 
gave prestige to the firm, and they are enjoying a large and prosperous business. 
They have designed and superintended a number of public buildings, stores and 
residences, not only in Kansas City, but also at various other points in Kansas and 
Missouri, and the strudlures planned and eredled by them combine artistic beauty 
with a perfe(ft adaptation to the uses to which they are designed in a manner 
that entitles them to the reputation they enjoy as skillful and conscientious re- 
presentatives of their exalted art. This reputation, fairly earned, has secured for 
them a steady increase in their business from the formation of their firm to the 
present time, and the close and accurate attention paid to every detail of construc- 
tion, and reliability in every respe<?t, places them among the leading firms in this 
line in the Southwest. 

F. M. Deardorff. — Lumber, Lath and Shingles, Doors, Sash and Blinds; 
Yards: Southeast corner of Eighteenth and Holmes Streets. — Among the 
leading retail lumber dealers of Kansas City Mr. F. M. Deardorff stands conspicuous 
for the extent of his business, special facilities and honorable methods. The busi- 
ness, which had been established by Mr. L. Deardorff, father of the present pro- 
prietor, at the corner of Eleventh and Main streets, early in the history of the city, 
was assumed by the latter in 1884, since which time it has increased in volume 
nearly three-fold. Mr. Deardorff 's premises are well located at the corner ot 
Eighteenth and Holmes streets, and cover half a block in area. The stock com- 
prises the various grades of white and yellow pine, poplar, California redwood, 
lath, shingles, sash, doors, blinds and mouldings, of which full lines are always on 
hand. The subject of this sketch was born and educated in Kansas City, where he 
has always resided. His standing in commercial circles is of the highest order, 
and his connedlion"- in ^he lumber trade are superior in every respedl. The very 
healthy growth of his business in the past three years is due to his apt qualifica- 
tions and the close personal attention given to its details. 

C. F. Madison & Co., — Real Estate and Loans ; 929 Main Street, Central 
Bank Building; Charles F. Madison, Gerritt Madison; Branch of C. F. Madison & 
Co., Brokers and Dealers in Investment Securities, 43 Exchange Place, New York 
City. — The reputation for financial good Judgment, and successful handling of prop- 
erties, has since its establishment here, brought this firm a very large business, 
and they stand second to none in point of reputation, and the value of business 
they handle. A large portion of their business consists of loaning mony for Eastern 
capitalists, these gentlemen confining themselves to stridtly first-class loans only 
on improved property security ; their conservative business methods and thorough 
Eastern business education and experience, inspiring confidence with all their cor- 
respondents and clientage. 

William Weston. — Manufadlurers' Agent for Louisville, Argentine, Fort 
Scott and Manhattan Hydraulic Cements, and the Celebrated Ash Grove White 
Lime, and Dealer in Standard Brands of Other White Lime, Cements, Plaster, 
Hair, White Sand, Sewer Pipe, Fire Brick, Fire Clay, etc. ; Ofl&ce, Northwest Corner 
of Missouri and Grand Avenues. — This industrial enterprise was established in 1866 
by Mr. Weston, and is one of the largest of the kind in the city. He employs from 



Thk Industries of Kansas City. 



233 



twenty to thirty hands, and does an extensive trade both in the city and the neigh- 
boring States of Missouri and Kansas. His manufa<5luring works are located on 
Pacific street, between h} dia avenue and Highland street. The warehouse, which 
is 100x250 feet in dimensions, is on the corner of Twelfth and Freight streets. The 
celebrated Ash Grove white lime is manufa(ftured at Ash Grove, Mo. His own 
manufacture of lime is designed for laying stone and the purifying and manufadlure 
of gas, and it is largely in demand. Mr. Weston has been a resident of Kansas City 
since 1886, though he has been in Missouri since 1858. He is a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, and is a thorough business man, and stands high in commercial circles of 
Kansas City. 

James F. McAdow. — Mahogany, Cocobola and other Hard Wood Mantels, 
Yard and House Ornaments, Etc.; 130S and 1310 Grand Avenue. — This prominent 
enter prise 



interesting and 
city, and is the 
lishment of its 
United States, 
was i n augurat 
the enter p r i s 
highly prosper 
inception. The 
and tiles, and a 
seen in many of 
houses in the 
the Nelson 
the West, were 
di nin g-roo m 
bridal c h a ni 
in the halls of 
room in this 
piece of tile- 
es c o m p ri s e 
he carries a full 
and tiling, that 
surpass forqual 
business of 
fifteen to eigh 
while such is 
its Irade 





ing proprietor, Mr. McA.dow, l^^p 
ous and steadily increasingh* 
house makes a specialty of |^^,=flj 
great deal of its admirable 
the finest blocks, residences 
city. All the tile work, mantels 
l)uilding, which is the finest 
supplied by Mr. McAdow, also 
and all the fine tile-work in 
bers,andthe beautiful Italian fcS 
the Coates House. The floor 
hostelry is pronovinced the 
work in the West. Mr. Mc- 
three floors of a building 50X 
and complete stock of elegant 
neither Chicago, New York 
ity, beauty or utility. The 
from $75,000 to $80,000 annu 
teen hands are employed in 
the popularity of the estab 




one of the most 
attradlivein the 
largest e s tab- 
kind in the 
The business 
ed in 1867, by 
and has been 
ever since its 
mantels, grates 
work is to be 
and public 
and grates in 
ofiice block in 
the floor of the 
the parlors and 
marble floors 
of the dining- 
hand s o m e st 
Adow's premis- 
iio feet, where 
mantels, grates 
nor Boston can 
house does a 
ally, and from 
its warerooms, 
lishment that 



extends over Missouri, Kansas, New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska and 
other points. Mr. McAdow has resided in Kansas City for twenty-lwo years. He 
hails from Chillicothe, Ohio, of which State he is a native and was a resident for 
thirty years. He is a man of unusual intelligence, and in business is quick and 
energetic, and stands high in commercial circles. 

M. R. King & Co. — (M. R. King, Attorney at Law ; Ira S. Coover, Notary Pub- 
lic,) Brokers ; Room 17, Sherdley Building, Kansas City, Mo. — This firm deal in first- 
class commercial paper, bonds, stocks. State, county and city warrants and similar 
high grade securities, and make a specialy of negotiating first mortgages on improved 
Kansas City propertj'. They condudl a stridlly legitimate, conservative business on 
a substantial basis, and in adling as financial agents for others thej- have been 
eminently successful. Both of the gentlemen were formerly connedled with the 
Lombard Investment Company, of Boston, Mass., and Kansas City, and are well 
informed regarding values and fully competent to satisfacftorily handle all funds 
entrusted to their care. Their specialty is first mortgage, guaranteed paper on im- 
proved Kansas City property with insurance as collateral. They also handle paper 
on unimproved property, which nets investors large margins. Rates range 
from <' to 12 per cent, per year. They guarantee 6 and 7 per cent, loans. 
They have for sale school bonds, water-works bonds, county and township bonds 
and bank stocks of the various towns and cities tributary to Kansas City. Prices 
are quoted and information cheerfully furnished on all such securities. They also 
handle the special city tax bills of the City of Kansas, heretofore a favored and safe 
investment, and justly so. They have ' recenth- opened up in various Kansas, 



234 ^h:© Industries of Kansas Citv. 



Nebraska and Missouri towns agencies for the buying of tax titles to land. One 
man travels continually attending to the buying and securing of such titles, and it 
is a safe and desirable investment. Large profits are realized. They usually ir terest 
with them otuside parties, and as a guarantee ot their faith in the securities they 
always furnish at least one-half of the capital required to successfully condudt 
such an enterprise. They aim to make themselves useful to parties making special 
investments, and who desire special attention being paid to investments after being 
made. To that end, they hold themselves responsible for all their transadlions, and 
in their experience they are confident that they can serve parties to their individual 
interests better, and offer to investors larger margins, than companies usually offer, 
b)- retaining a smaller margin of profits to themselves. They personallj^ supervise 
all interests entrusted to their care, and take care of all interests accruing from 
time to time by remittances with New York exchange, free of cost to investors. 
Mr. J. H. Jordan, associated with them, has charge of their real estate and rental 
department, and pays taxes, colledls rents, furnishes estimates, sells and exchanges 
all property entrusted to their care. In conclusion, they offer as references : First 
National Bank, Kansas City, Mo. ; First National Bank, Kansas City, Kas. ; Union 
National Bank, of Kansas City, Mo.; Kansas City Savings Bark; C. F. Harrington, 
of Albert Thompson & Co., 39 South street, Boston, Mass.; Rollin M. Morgan, at- 
torney, of Hoes & Morgan, 69 Wall street, New York. Correspondence is solicited 
and all information relative to Kansas City and vicinity cheerfully given. 

E. P. Cowen Lumber Combany.— E. P. Cowen, President; C. F. 
Collins, Vice-President ; F. C. Brewer, Secretary and Manager; Wholesale Manu- 
fadlurers of Lumber ; Corner of Twenty-third Street and Broadway. — This prominent 
industry was established in 1S84 by Elliott & Co., but changed andincoporated with 
a capital stock of $ico,ooo in the spring of 1886 as the Yellow Pine Lumber Co., 
and to the present name in January, 1888. The company has mills in Texas which 
turn out 125,000 feet of lumber per day. They are situated in the long-leaf yellow 
pine distridl where their lumber is manufadtured and which gives employment to 
a large number of hands. Their yards in this city comprise four acres of ground 
and twenty men are employed in them, while their lumber is shipped to points all 
over Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Iowa, Indian Territory and to other 
points. The lumber produced by this company is pronounced to be of exceedingly 
line quality, and to be highly popular on the market, and the reputation of the house 
for honorable business methods is high. Mr. E. P. Cowen, the President, is a 
resident of St. Louis, Mo., where he is engaged as wood and tie contraAor for the en- 
tire Missouri Pacific Railway system. He is a native of Massachusetts, and is one 
of the finest and most highly esteemed business men in the West. Mr. F. C. Brewer, 
Secretary and Manager, has been a resident of Kansas City since December, 1887, 
and was formerly with S. A. Brown & Co., of Chicago, for eight years. He is a 
native of Ohio, and is a fine business man, correspondent and financier. Mr. Col- 
lins, the Vice-President, is a resident of St. Louis. 

Nier and By ram.- Architedts and Superintendents; 127 West Sixth 
Street. — The gentlemen whose names head this article are architedts of the highest 
skill and honor, and whose references are not mere words but architedlural stiudl- 
ures that stand out before men's eyes and cause them to ask the name of the 
designers. A few of their works might be mentioned. They built the Court House 
at Fort Smith, Ark., the Third Presbyterian Church in West Kansas, the Reformed 
Church in Kansas City, the First Presbyterian Church of Independence, which is 
the finest in the place ; also the Wilson Block at Independence, the finest there; 
the Kansas City Cable Railway Engine House in Kansas City; the handsome 
school house at Fort Smith, called the Bell Grove School, and which is considered 
a model of architedlural design; also two school houses at Moberly, Mo., which are 
highly appreciated by the Diredtors and Trustees, who say Messrs. Nier & Byram 
are exceedingly careful, accommodating and painstaking architedts. They are pre- 
paring plans for the United Presbyterian Church, to be built on Holmes street in 
this city, and have improved the Clyde Church in this city, furnished plans for and 
superintended the construdtion of the Keystone Iron Works building and many 
others. Mr. Nier was formerly in Detroit, Mich., where he was recognized as a 
superior architedl. He has been an architedlt for forty years, twenty two of which 
he spent in Detroit. He holds the highest testimonials for skill, conscientious 



The Industries op Kansas City. 235 



execution and honorable dealing from all those with whom he has had business 
transactions, and their name is legion. Mr. Byram was born in Detroit and gradu- 
ated in Renseellaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy, N. Y. He has been an architect 
for four years and was in the United States service up to a short time ago and had 
charge of the engineering work on the Arkansas River, at Pine BluflF, before joining 
Mr. Nier. Their works speak for them and are their highest praise. 

Roach & Welker Manufacturing Company.— Geo. H. Riner, Man- 
ager ; Manufadlurers, and Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Window Glass, Sash, 
Doors, Blinds, Mouldings, etc.; 1416 Walnut Street. — Kansas City's phenomenal 
growth invites every essential industry kindred to the building interests. The one 
now under consideration was established and duly incorporated January, 1885, with 
a capital stock of $12,000, which has since been increased to $18,000. The premises 
occupied are commodious, having a frontage at 1416 Walnut street of 25 feet by a 
depth of no feet, three stories in height and completely equipped with modern 
improved machinery and appliances, employing ten competent workmen. Another 
building of the same dimensions as this one is also utilized in the condudl of this 
business, and is located at 1610 Main street. This company's trade has rapidly in- 
creased since the inception of the enterprise and now extends all through Missouri and 
Kansas, amounting to upwards of $roo,ooo annually, and with a decidedly favorable 
outlook for the future. The output capacity of this industry is equivalent to $30,000 
per month, if the demand of their trade should require it. Mr. Riner,the Manager, 
is a Virginian, has been a resident of Kansas City about five years, and was formerly 
engaged in the lumber business in Illinois. He is eminently qualified for the 
management of this business, owing to his wide experience in the lumber industry, 
and his reliable demeanor with the trade generally. The success of this important 
enterprise is due to consummate skill and the exercise of honorable methods in the 
condu(fl of the business. 

W. H. Caffery.— Real Estate and Loans; Room 7, No. 8^ West Ninth 
Street.— This popular real estate office was opened by Mr. CafFery in October, 1886, 
and his public patronage has always been most gratifying, and his business highly 
satisfaAory. He devotes considerable attention to inside business and residence 
property, but also makes a specialty of farm and acre lands. Among his recent 
deals in the latter might be mentioned his sale of 6,400 acres of land in Kansas for 
the round sum of $80,000. This office has become the headquarters in Kansas City, 
for land and ranch property, and all those desirous of purchasing or trading for 
this kind of property, can be accommodated there, as Mr. CafFery has a large list 
extending over both Kansas and Missouri, as well as some seledl bargains iji inside 
Kansas City property. Mr. CafFery is a native of Michigan, and has been a resident 
of Kansas City for nearly two years. He was formerly in the agricultural imple- 
ment business, and is a man who would succeed in any line of trade. 

G. M. White.— Wholesale Wall Paper, Window Shades, Room Mouldings, 
Weather Strips, Brushes, Paints, Varnishes, Glass, Etc.; 1200 and 1202 Main Street. 
— This large and prominent business was established in 1876, by the present enter- 
prising proprietor. In 1882 the firm name was changed to G. M. White & Co., 
but in June, 1887, the other partner, Mr. H. G. Engels, died and the business was 
again condudled under the name of G. M. White. He makes a specialty of paints, oils, 
glass, wall paper, painting supplies, etc., carrying a full and complete stock of fine, 
first-class goods in all lines which make a fine display in the 36)^ x 58 feet, two- 
story building, occupied by the business. He employs ten hands and does a large 
and highly satisfactory business which is spread over Missouri and Kansas as well 
as being extensive in the city. On the first of May this business will be removed 
to 1207 and 1209 Walnut street, where larger premises, which the trade of the house 
demands, will be occupied. This is one of the best known and most popular 
houses in its line in the city, and Mr. White stands high in reputation, both as a 
business man and a citizen. He is a native of New York and has been in Kansas 
City twelve years. 

J. G. Braeckclein. — Architedl and Superintendent; First National Bank 
Building, Third Floor; Kansas City, Kas.— Mr. Braecklein, who is an architect of 
jong and thorough pradtical training, was prior to establishing in business for him- 



236 The Industries op Kansas City. 



self in February, 1887, emplojed by H. Probst, architedl of Kansas City, Mo., and 
also by James Bannan, another architect of the same place, and was Assistant 
Archite(5l of the School Board for Kansas City, Mo. While employed by these 
architects he designed the altar of the cathedral at Kansas City, Mo., a block of 
houses for Mr. John K. Dunn, a residence for Mr. Bannan on Olive street, the new 
Lathrop school on Central street, Hon. J. B. Scroggs' two story-brick residence, a 
block on Fourteenth street and Forest avenue for Mr. M. A. Diaz, a prominent 
arihitecl here, and also his private residence, and did considerable other work in 
Kansas City, Mo., while in the employ of the above mentioned architedts. He also 
assisted in designing the Meyers Bros, drug house in Kansas City, Mo. Since 
establishing in business for himself, he has designed and superintended the erec 
tion of a number of residence and business structures, including the elegant 
residences of W. B. Taylor, Cornell & Harris, and a number of other prominent 
strudlures, not only local but also at many points in Kansas and Missouri. The 
master of his profession, and combining in his designs artistic beauty with pradtical 
utility, Mr. Brachlein is enjoying a steady increase in his business, and occupies a- 
well earned position in the favor and confidence of the community. 

The American Investment Company of Emmetsburg, Iowa. 

— E. S. Ormsby, President; A. L. Ormsby, Vice-Pj-esident ; P. O. Refsell, General 
Manager; W. L. Telford, Secretary; C. F. Bliven, Treasurer; Frank B. Gregg, 
Manager at Kansas City; Office, 21 and 22 Beals Building. — This company was 
formed in 1872 at Emmetsburg, la., where its headquarters still are, by Ormsby Bros. 
& Co. It was incorporated in 1885 with a capital stock of $1,000,000, of which 
|6oo,ooo is paid up, and the company has a surplus of $75,000. Soon after the com- 
pany was incorporated, the attention of the diredtors was attracted to the large 
demand for money in this city of prodigious growth, and the rapidly developing 
country around it, and in 1S87 they opened a branch house in Kansas City. Their 
loans are mostly on farm lands in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota 
and Dakota. The company is very liberal with borrowers, and gets its share of 
business. It is also well and favorably known through the East and West. The Kan- 
sas City branch is assured of a most gratifying success ; but as the branch is often 
judged by the tree, it may be stated that Mr. Ormsby, the President, who is a resi- 
dent of Emmetsburg, la., is also President of the First National Bank of that place. 
Mr. A. L. Ormsby, the Vice-President, is in charge of the company's office at 150 
Nassau street, New York. They are both men of large experience and acknow- 
ledged ability. The American Investment Co. is deserving of the best patronage 
and fullest confidence of the community. 

Newby Steel Range Co. — 529 Grand Avenue. — This enterprise was es- 
tablished in Kansas Cit}' in September, 1887, by Mr. John McKee, of Leavenworth, 
Kansas, and Mr. A. S. Newby, of the Newby Casting Co., of this city. Headquarters 
of this firm are at Leavenworth, Kansas, where the principal parts of the range are 
maniifaclured. This range is manufadlured of wrought steel plate, was patented 
06tober 26, 1886, and is the only patent granted for its coustru6tion and draft in 
seventeen years. The company make a familj' and restaurant range which they 
keep in stock, and made to order any size required ; it is made of wrought steel 
plate and malleable cast steel and warranted to give perfect satisfe<5tion, as to service, 
economy and durability. Mr. McKe e is a resident of Leavenworth, Kansas, where 
he has charge of the business at that end of the line. Mr. Newby is a well and 
favorably recognized citizen of our Western metropolis, and proprietor of one of 
its most important industries, The Newby Casting Co. The trade of the Newby 
Steel Range Co , extends through territory lying West of the Mississippi river, and 
has met with a deservedly great success by reason of the high merit of its produdls. 
From three to ten expert workmen are in the service of the company and the 
execution of the work is of a character to command the confidence of a large and 
constantly growing patronage all through the West. A cut representing this range 
appears on page 244 of this work. It needs no recommendation; it is set up on 
its merits without fear of a fault, much less failure, It roasts two large turkeys 
at one time with ease, it will use less fuel, bake quicker and last longer than any 
stove or range made. It has a 12 gallon copper reservoir, will boil water in fifteen 
minutes. It has neither damper nor flue strips to get out of order and the oven is 
always hot, all holes cooking alike. In a word it is the acme of perfection of the 
household or hostelry. 



INDEX 



REPRESENTATIVE HOUSES. 



PAGE. 

Abercrombie, J. S.— Storage for Merchandise 

and H lUsehold Goods 124 

Abernathy Furniture Co.— Manufacturers and 
Wnoles>ile Dealers in Fine Furniture, and 

.Jobbers in Furniture Supplies 165 

Adams, T. Lee.— Wholesale Field and Garden 

Seeds 122 

Albers, Henry.— Wholesale Flour 128 

Allis, ti.B.,& Co.— Wholesale and Retail Deal- 
ers in Lumber, Lath, Shingles, Moulding 

and Screen Doors 132 

American Investment Co. of Emmetsburg, la., 

The 236 

American National Bank 89 

Argentine Real Estate, Investment and Loan 

Company, The Izl 

Arkansas & Texas Lumber Company. — Whole- 
sale Yellow Pine Lumber 229 

Armour Packing Company.— Pork and Beef 

Packing 90 

Arnold, A. C— Wholesale and Retail Drug- 
gist and Apothecary 130 

Ash Grove White Lime Association 223 

Associated Tailors— J. A. Kitzinger and Frank 

Seidel 123 

Austin, L. B.— The People's Grocery i24 

Austin & Co.— Investment Bankers 142 

Bachman, J. A , & Bro.— Wholesale Tobacco- 
nists and Dealers in Foreign and Domestic 

Wines 125 

Baird. Brent & Co.— Real Estate Agents. ... 148 
Baker & Lapsley.— Fire Insurance, Real Estate 

and Loans 225 

Barnes, Clif. R., Jr. — Bond and Stock Broker; 

Commercial Paper and Real Estate . . . 110 
Barse, George R.. & Co.— Live Stock Commis- 
sion Merchants 123 

Barse, W. H., & Co.— Wholesale and Retail 
Dealers in Artists" Materials, Pictures, Fancy 

Goods, etc 136 

Bartberger & Co.— Wood and Photo-Zinc En- 
gravers and Designers 169 

Barton Bros —Wholesale Boots and Shoes . . 129 

Baxter, Frank S.— Real Estate 143 

Beaham & Moffatt.— Teas, Coffee« and Spices, 
Flavoring Extracts, Baking Powder and 
Blueing; Manufacturers, Importers and 

Jobbers 185 

Bell, J. R — Importer and Jobber in Musical 
Merchandise ; Publisher of and Dealer in 

Sheet Music and Music Books 189 

Berkey it Springer.- Real Estate B oVers. . . 196 
Berrv, B. F.— Real Estate Agent and Notary 

Public 140 

Best Brewing Co.. Philip 137 

Binkley's Steam Laundry 147 

Birdsell Manufacturing c-q., The.— Manufac- 
turers of Clover Hiillers. Carriages and 

Wagons 226 

Bliss, Samuel, & Co.— Refiners and Dealers in 
Syrups and Molasses, and Proprietors of the 
Home Preserving Company's Table Deli- 

caciPs 146 

Block, Sol. , & Co.— Wholesale Dealers in Whis- 
kies and Importers of Wines and Brandies . 138 
Bloss, Darling & Co.— Real Estate and Loans . 144 
Bloss & 'Smith.— Art *?tained Gla«s f"r Church- 
es, Halls, Public Buildings, Dwellings, etc . 225 



PAGE. 

Bohannon Brothers & Hall.— Real E'tate . . . P147 
Boston Store.— C. W & E. Pardridge & Co., 
Proprietors : Wholesale and Retail Dealers 
in Dry Goods, Millinery, Fancy Goods, Boots 

and Shoes 144 

Bower, B. F., and H. Thomas.— Real Estate 
and Exchange Agency; Merchandise, Farms, 

Ranches, etc 142 

Boyd, David. & Sons.— Real Estate and Loans 146 
Boylan, W. S., & Co.— Abstracts of Titles for 

Wyandotte County 145 

Brad beer & Jenkins.— Dealers in Fine Wall Pa- 
pers, Room Mouldings, Window Shades etc. 220 
Bradley, Wheeler & Co.— Wholesale Vehicles 

and Farming Machinery HT 

Braecklein, J. G.— Architect and Superintend- 
ent 235 

Brink, E P— Architect and Sanitary Engineer 143 
Britton & Matthews Manufacturing Company 151 

Brooks, B H.— Architect 128 

Brower, A. K., & Co — ** holesaie Dealers in 

Whiskies, Wines and Brandies 134 

Brown Brothers —Pheasant Cigar Factory . . Vj.~ 
Brown, C. H., & Co —Real Estate Agents ... 128 

Brown, R. S., it Son.— Florists X'S 

Broughal. Jas. T., & Co —Real Estate Brokers 135 
Buford & George Implement Company.— Agri- 
cultural Implements, Farm and Spring 

Wagons, etc • ■■ 122 

Bullene, Moore, Emery & Co.— Wholesale and 
Retail Dealers in Dry Goods, Notions, 

Ciockery, Faucv Goods, etc 131 

Burden, George W.— Real Estate, Stock and 

Loan Broker 123 

Burnham, Hanna, Mun.yer & Co.— Importers 
and Jobbers of Dry Goods and Notions, and 

Manufacturers 103 

Caffery, W. H.— Real Estate and Loans. ... 235 

Caples, J. T., Hardware Company 224 

Carpenter, C. H , & Co.— Real Estate, Insur- 
ance, Rental and Loan Agents 130 

Central Btok of Kau.sas(;ity. The 121 

Chadwick, Woodworth & Co —Real Estate 

and Loan Agents and Investors of Capital . 136 
Chamberlain, E. H. & Co —Powder and High 

Explosives 109 

Chamberlain. S. E —Architect 121 

Chapman i& Dewev.— Wholesale I>umber . . . 15-=> 
Chnppell. A. D.-ktal Estate and Loan Broker 124 
Charles, A. L.— General Commission Merchant KSl 

Citizens' National Bank, 102 

Clemons, Cloon & Co.— Produce Commission 

Merchant.? 117 

Columbus Buggy Company.— Manufacturers 

of Buggies 228 

Commonwealth Loan and Trusf Company . . 101 
Conkey, Theo. F.—Coti tractor and Builder . . 189 

Connell, John.- Real Estate 113 

Conover Brothers —Manvifacturers of Grand 
and Upright Pianofortes: Wholesale Dealers 
in »he Steinway. Conover and Fischer Pianos 

and Packard Orchestral Organs 172 

Consolidated Tank Line Company.— Whole- 
sale Lubricating and Burning Oils 113 

Continental Shot Works 155 

Coomber, Richard, & Co.— Manufacturers of 
and Dealers in Saratoga Chips. Pop Corn and 
New York Parched Sweet Corn • 179 



238 



The; Industries of Kansas City. 



PAGE. 

Corle Cracker and Confectionery Co.— Manu- 
facturers of Fine Biscuits, Cakes, Jumbles 

and Pure Candies Ill 

Corle, J. F., & Son —Proprietors of Kansas 

City Oat Meal and Cereal Mill, 192 

Cosgrove, T. W, & Co. —Manufacturers' Agents 205 
Cowen, E. P. Lumber Company.— Wholesale 

Manufacturers of Lumber 234 

Craig, F. W,, & Co.— Real Estate and Fire In- 
surance 184 

Crane Brothers Manufacturing Company.— 
Manufacturers and Jobbers of Steam Heat- 
ing and Plumbing Supplies 188 

Crawford & Patterson.— Wholesale and Retail 

Dealers in Feed 190 

Crittenden & Williams.— Bankers and Brokers, 

Real Estate and Loans 126 

Cross, A. B.— Architect 146 

Deardorff, F. M.— Lumber, Lath and Shingles, 

Doors, Sash and Blinds 232 

Deere, Mausur& Co.— Farm Machinery, ''John 

Deere" Plows and Cultivators, etc 223 

Despatch Transfer Company 210 

Diehl & Bailey.— Real Estate and Financial 

Agents 182 

Downey, M.— Box Factory and Planing Mill 197 
Do ivning, J. F.— Real Estate and Loans . . . 117 
Driggs Manufacturing Company. -Manufac- 
turers of Jeans Pants, Lined Duck Clothing, 
Overalls, Over Jackets and Cheviot Shirts. . 174 
Drought, E S. W., & Co.— Wholesale Dealers 

in Baled Hay 196 

Dunham, Charles N., & Co.— Manufacturers of 
E jgineers' and Surveyors' Instruments and 
Engineers' and Draughting Supplies .... 181 
Dyer, E. C, & Co.— Live Stock Commission 

Merchants 192 

Eagle Manufacturing Co., The.— Manufac- 
turers of Agricultural Implements and 
Forwarders of Carriages, Buggies, Phaetons, 

Surreys, etc 129 

Easton & Clark. —Manufacturers of Fine Light 

Carriages and Buggies 135 

Eby, Dovvden & Co.— Wholesale Grocers ... 131 
Elliot & Whittaker.— Real Estate and Loan 

Agencv 190 

Ellison, D.,& Son.— Real Estate Agents. . . . 186 
Emmert, J. P., & Co.— Live Stock Commission 

Merchants 186 

English, W. H.— Real Estate Broker 191 

Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United 

States 200 

Estill. B. — Real Estate and Loan Agency ... 200 
Evans, Newton. —Real Estate and Loan Broker 197 
Excelsi'^r Plating Works.— Gold, Silver and 

Nickel Plating 187 

Excelsior Springs Company. The . ..... 141 

Fairbanks & Co. — Scales; Kansas City Repair 

Shop 187 

Fas^ett, E. F.— Architect 222 

Fidelity Investment Co.— Real Estate and 

Lo^^ns (see also Inside Front Cover) .... 96 
First National Bank of Kansas City, Kas . . . 202 
First National Bank of Kansas City, Mo . . . 108 
Ford & Furgason.— Insurance Ageuts .... 214 
Fowler, George, & Son. —Beef and Pork Packers 

and Lard Refiners 96 

F,-ederick, P. A., & Co.— Real Estate and Loan 

Brokers 207 

Qarnett Coal Company. — Wholesale and Re- 
tail Dealers in Hard and Soft Coal 211 

Germania Life Insurance Company, The . . . 182 
Gillespie, A J., <& Co.— Live Stock Commission 

Merchants 213 

Giuocchio Brothers & Co.— Wholesale Green 

and Dried Fruits 154 

Gordon, D. S., Son & Co.— Merchandise Brokers 

and Commission Merchants 166 

Graham, L. L.— Scenic Artist, Contractor for 
Stage Equipments, Theatrical Hardware, 
Frame Work, Canvas, Traps, Bridges, and 
Every Necessary Equipment of First-Class 
Theatres . . . " 155 



PAUE. 

Gravez, G , &Co.— The French Ostrich Feather 

Dyers 201 

Great Western Sign and Plating Works, The . 116 
Great Western Type Foundry.— Electrotypers 

and stereotypers 201 

Greenlies & Russell.— Merchandise Brokers. . 203 
Gregg, A. S., (k Co.— Real Estate and Rental 

Agents 187 

Grimes, William B., Dry Goods Company. — 
Importers and Jobbers of Dry Goods, No- 
tions and Furnishing Goods, and Manufac- 
turers of Staple Clo.hing 161 

Grimes Wagon Manufacturing Company . . . 182 
Guerra, Enrique —Original Spanish Cigar 

Factory 203 

Hall Brothers & Co.— Real Estate and Loan 

Agency 216 

Hall & Willis Hardware Company 97 

Hamilton, F. B.— Architect 98 

Harding, E. J.— Tobacco Manfacturers' Agent 202 
Harmon, Rugg & Co.— Wholesale and Retail 
Lumber, Lath, Shingles, Sash, Doors, Blinds, 

etc 201 

Harris Brothers Brick Company.— Manufac- 
turers of Building and Front Brick 195 

Harris, T. A., & Wilson.— Dealers in Real 
Estate, Investors of Capital and Mortgage 

Bond Brokers 97 

Harrison & Piatt.— Real Estate Brokers .... 192 
Hauber Brothers— Manufacturers and Dealers 

in Staves, Heading and Hoops 196 

Hedman & Whitney.— Wholesale and Retail 

Dealers in Coal 196 

Henderson, Frank C —Real Estate Broker and 

Investor of capital 102 

Henry & Coatsworth Company. — Wholesale 

Lurnber Dealers 194 

Herndon, L. T. — Real Estate and Loans. . 1 . 199 
Hingston, Coy & Peake. — Manufacturers of 

and Wholesale Dealers in Famishing Goods 188 
Hirsch, S., & Co. — Wholesale Dealers in 

Liquors, Wines and Cigars 178 

Hodgson & Son.— Architects 231 

Hoffmann & Fussell.— Real Estate, Loans and 

Investments 195 

Hofmann, M.— Wholesale Dealer in Whiskies, 
and Importer of Wines and Liquors .... 198 

Hoopes, J. E.— Real Estate 194 

Hornbrook, E. D., & Co.— Whole-^ale and Re- 
tail Dealers in Fine Gas Fixtures, Sanitary 
Plumbing, Steam and Hot Water Heating, 

and Ventilation 221 

Hough, Franklin B., & Co.— Real Estate and 

Financial Agents 114 

Houghton, George A. — Merchant Tailor . . . 200 

Inter-State Investment Company 193 

Inter-State Lumber Company. — Wholesale 

Dealers in Lumber 173 

Inter-State Oil Company. — Manufacturers and 
Dealers in Lubricating and Fine Machinery 

Oils and Greases 178 

Irwin & Eaton Crockery Company, The —Ira- 
porters of Queensware, China and Glass- 
ware, Pocket and Table Cutlery, Lamps, 

Chandeliers and Plated Ware ..." 175 

Jacobs, Lewis I. — Jobbers in Dry Goods, No- 
tions, Clothing and Gents' Furnishings. . . 148 

James & James. — Architects Ii4 

Jenkins, J. W., & Son. —Dealers in Musical In- 
struments and all Their Accompaniments . 175 
Johnson, H. L., & Co.— Real Estate Invest- 
ments 175 

Johnston, W. T.— Real B«tate 231 

Jones. R., Lloyd —Civil Engineer 110 

Jones, W. C.. & Co. — Dealers in Lumber, Lath, 

Shingles, etc 172 

Jones, W. H., & Co.— Investors of Capital, 

Loans and Rent Collectors 170 

Kansas Box and Basket Company. — Manufac- 
turers of Fruit Boxes, Baskets, etc 184 

Kansas City Gravel Company. — W. T. Little, 

Manager and Proprietor 174 

Kansas City I a vestment Company, The ... 160 



The Industries of Kansas City. 



239 



Kansas City Lime Compaoy. — Manufacturers 
of White Lime, and Dealers in Cement, 

Plaster, Hair and Fire Brick 195 

Kansas- City Milling Company. — Manufac- 
^turers of High Grades of Flour on Full 

' 'Roller System 229 

Kansas City Mutual Accident Association . . 190 

Kansas City Paper Company 194 

Kansas City Radiator and Iron Foundry Com- 

pativ. 189 

Kansas City Roofing Company. — Manufac- 

^tarars of Felt and liravel Roofing 227 

Kansas City Safe Deposit and Savings Bank . 198 
Kansas City Stock Yards Company, The ... 92 
Kansas City Terra Cotta Lumber Company. — 

Manufacturers of Terra Cotfa Lumber . . . 109 
Kansas City Tobacco Manufacturing Com- 
pany.— Manufacturers of Fine Plug, Navy 

and Twist Tobacco 180 

Kansas City Transfer Company. — Transfer of 

Freight of all Kinds 179 

Kansas City & Southern Lumber Company. — 
Manufacturers of Cypress Lumber and 
Shingles and all Grades of Oak Lumber, and 

Dealers iu Railroad Ties and Filing 230 

Kaw Valley Lumber Company. — /wholesale 

Dea'ers in Railroad Lumber 227 

Kay. Edgar B., C. E.— Sanitary and Hydraulic 

Eugiueer 186 

Keefer, Horace A.,& Co. — Iron and Steel Com- 
mission Merchants, and General Dealers in 
Seam Motor aad Street Railway Supplies . 118 
Keith, Robert, Furniture and Carpet Company 106 
Keith & Perry Coal Company. — Miners of and 

Dealers in Coal 183 

Keystone Implement Company.— Wholesale 
Dealers in Agricultural Implements, Wag- 
ons, Buggies, Carriages, Etc 171 

King, M. R., A Co.— Brokers 233 

Kirkpatrick-Christopher Commission Com- 
pany, The 183 

Knight & Clingenpeel. — Real Estate, Loan, 

Rental and Exchange Agents 182 

Krull, John H. — Merchant Tailor 172 

Kumpf, Henry C, ifc Son.— Fire Insurance . . 173 

Lakin, Cyrus B. — Architect 180 

Land Title Guarantee Company, The .... 226 

Lawrence Investment Company 93 

Levering, L. L.— Architect 112 

Levy, S. M.— Proprietor Misfit Clothing Par- 
lors 139 

Lewis, F. B.— Dealer in Leather and Findings 175 
Lilly, Eli, & Co. — Pharmaceutical Chemists 177 
Link, E. & Co.— Wholesale Millinery .... 176 

Lombard Investment Company 9) 

Long Brothers. — Wholesale Grocers 101 

Love, James M., & Co —Druggists and Phar- 
macists 199 

Madison, C. F., & Co. — Real Estate and 

Loans 232 

Manhattan Clothing Company ....... 137 

Martiu, Perrin & Co — Importers and Whole- 
sale Liquor Dealers and Distillers 94 

Mathews, William T.— Importer and Retailer 

of Dry Goods, Cloaks, Etc 184 

Matt, Charles & Co.— Real Estate and Mining 

Brokers 230 

McAdow, James F. — Mahogany, Cocobola and 
oth°r Hardwood Mantels, Yard and House 

Ornaments, Etc 233 

McCord A^Nave Mercantile Company, The . 90 

McCoy, J. A.— Real Estafe 227 

McCoy Lt Underwood.— Live Stojk Commis- 
sion Merchants 171 

McCurdy, Will H.— Real Estate Exchange . . 116 
McGraw's Kansas City Detective Agency . . 151 
McKean, G. W.— Dealer iu California Fruits, 

Canned Goods and Wines 151 

McLean, Benj. & Co— Hides and Wool .... 1.^9 
McM-tchan, Ed. E.— Investment Broker . . 104 

McQuiddy, R. I.— Real Estate 160 

Mellier, Darragh & Co.— Real Estate Investors 138 
Merchants' National Bank 91 



PAGE. 

Metzner, S. A.— Stove Repairs of every Des- 
cription 168 

Meyer Brothers Drug Company 149 

Miller & Tileston — .Real Estate and Fire In- 
surance Agency 167 

Mills, S. D., Jewelry Company.— Manufactur- 
ing Jewelers 156 

Misfit Clothing Parlors. — S. M. Levy, Prop'r . 139 
Mitchelson, J. C. & Co.— Wholesale Leaf To- 
bacco Dealers 152 

Model Clothing House— Max Weil, Prop'r . . 142 
Moline Plow Company.— Manufacturers and 
Jobbers of AgricuUiiral loaplements . . . 150 

Monitor Hay Press Company 143 

Morgan Commission Company.— Wholesale 

Commission Merchants 152 

Morledge, S. — Wholesale Dealer in and Ship- 
per of Fresh Oysters and Lake and River 

Fish 147 

Muehlebach, George & J. G. — Proprietors of 

the Main Street Brewery 140 

Musick, J. W.— Dealer in All Kiuds of Granite 
and Marble Monuments, Headstones and 

Cemetery improvements • 140 

Nake, Richard M— Mechanical Engineer . . 150 

National Bank of Commerce 104 

National Bank of Kansas City 112 

New Albany Hotel.— George E. Green, Prop'r 140 
Newby Steel Range Company. (See also page 

244 ) 236 

Nichols & Shepard Company.— Vibrator 

Threshing Machinery 193 

Nicholson, W. N.— Real Estate 229 

Nier, J. W. —Civil and Mechanical Engineer 105 
Nier & Byram.— Architects and Superintend- 
ents 234 

Nofsinger, F. B., & Co.— Real Estate Agents . 134 
Norcross Brothers.- Stock and Plain Brick 

Manufacturers 127 

Norris, Charles B., <& Co.— Headquarters for 
the Sale and Exchange of Kansas City Prop- 
erty, Farms and Merchandise 127 

North, Orrison & Co.— Furniture, Carpets, 

Curtain Goods, Etc 125 

North & Ewart Lumber Co., The.— Manufac- 
turers and Exclusively Wholesale Dealers 

in Yellow Pine 170 

Northrup Banking Co., The 135 

Oppenheimer, H., & Co —Wholesale Dealers 

in Watches, Diamonds, Jewelry, Etc . . . 160 
Osborn & Powell —Real Estate Brokers . . . 156 
Osborne, D. M.,& Co.— Harvesting Machinery 164 
Osborne & Pitrat.— Dealers in Books, Station- 
ery and Wall Paper 167 

Overton, W. P., & Co.— Dealers in Hard and 

Soft Coal 166 

Owen Jewelry and Stationery Company. — 

Stationers, Engravers and Jewelers .... 163 
Pardridge, C. W. & E., & Co.— Proprietors 

Boston Store 144 

Parker, F. E.— Real Estate 152 

Parker, W. Eugene.— Real Estate Broker . . 119 
Payne, M. J. & Sous.— Real Estate and Rental 

Agency 139 

Pearsons & Kiersted.— Consulting Engineers 156 

Pease, Albion P.— Real Estate I68 

Peet Brothers & Co. — Manufacturers of Laun- 
dry and Toilet Soaps 168 

People's Grocery, The.— L. B. Austin, Pro- 
prietor 124 

People's Investment and Building Co., The . 162 
Phelps A Bigelow Wind Mill Company, The.— 

Manufacturers of Wind Mills and Fixtures 213 
Pinkert E., ife Co.— Practical Furriers; Im- 
porters and Exporters of Furs and Skins, 
and Manufacturers of Ladies' and Gentle- 
men's Fine Fur.s 114 

Piatt & Co —Packers of "Tiger Brand" Oys- 
ters and Canned Goods ; Wholesale Dealers 

in Fresh Fish 153 

Preston tt Robinson.— Real Estate Brokers . 202 
Prudential Insurance Company, The .... 170 
Quinby, G, E., & Co.— Real Estate Brokers . 213 



240 



The; Industries of Kansas City. 



rAC4E. 

Railroad Employes Investment Co., The . . 158 

Railroad Transfer Company, The l^S 

Richards & Conover Hardware Company . . 115 
Richardson & Heins.— Proprietors of the Star 
Planing Mill, and Manufacturers of Sash, 

Doors and Blinds 224 

Ridenour, Baker & Co.— Wholesale Grocers . 90 
Risley, Beutley & Co.— Real Estate and Loan 

Agents 212 

Roach & VVelker Manufacturing Co.— Manu- 
facturers and Wholesale and Ketail Dealers 
in Window Glass, Sash, Doors, Blinds, 

Mouldings, Etc 285 

Rogers, Binnian & Co —Wholesale Lumber . 225 
Roth, Joe — Undertaker and Furniture Deal- 
er ; Carpets and Window Shades 148 

Sachs, Oscar.— Real Estate. Rental, Insurance, 

Collecting and Loan Agency 153 

Sachs, Mrs. R.— Fashionable Millinery and 

Hair Goods 208 

Salisbury, Robert, & Co.— Real Estate and 

Loan Brokers .'....... 157 

Salmon, J. C, & Co.— Merchandi.se Brokers 159 
Sammons, V. K. — Manufacturer of Lounges, 

Spring Beds, Mattresses. Cots and Excelsior 231 
Schenkert, E.— Practical Furrier ; Fine Furs, 

Seal-Skin Garments, Caps and Trimmings 169 
Schilling & Fuller— .Wholesale Dealers in 

Grain. Hay, Feed and Coal 124 

Scholer, M. J.— Architect and Brewery En- 
gineer 154 

Schopp, G. P , & Co.— General Commission, 

and Wholesale Fruits and Produce ... 215 
Schrage & Nichols.— Architects and Superin- 
tendents 232 

Schueler Abstracts of Land Titles, The . . . 136 

Sears, J. T.— Banker and Broker 208 

Seitz, John D., c^c Co.— Real Estate, Loans and 

Investments 120 

Shroeder Commission Company. — Grain and 

General Commission Merchants 212 

Simmons, Milton F. — Real Estate 211 

Smith, Heddens & Co.— Wholesale Grocers, 

and Dealers in Teas, Cigars and Fruits . . 207 
Snvder, J. P— Real Estate, Rental and Loan 

Office 209 

Spellman, J. B.— Wholesale Feed, and Com- 
mission Merchant 207 

Spengler. Carl, &. Rompel.— Wholesale Liquors 

and Cigars 222 

Standard Implement Company. — Jobbers of 
Agricultural Implements, Wagons, Buggies, 

and Carriages 220 

Stiles, W. A., &«"o.— General Railway Contrac- 
tors 226 

St. James Hotel.— J. H. Hewes, Proprietor . . 120 
Stone & Van Wambeck. —Manufacturers of 

Soda Water, Champagne Cider, Etc .... 166 
Strayer, Coomber A Co —Real Estate, Loan 

and Rental Agency 176 

Strickland, F. P., & Co.— Wholesale Dealers 

in Yellow Pine 221 

Strope, G. W., & Co— W^holesale and Retail 

Pianos and Organs 158 

Strowger, A. B.— Undertaking and Embalm- 
ing • • • 230 

Swariz, George.— Wholesale Lumber .... 220 
Sweet Brothers.— Real Estate and Invest- 
ments 163 

Tolbert, Rose & Co. — Wholesale Dealers in 

Wines and Liquors 145 

Toms, G. v.— Real Estate and Exchange 

Broier 118 

Trumbull, Reynolds & Allen.— -^eedsmen, 
and Manufacturers of Hay Harvesting Ma- 
chinery 133 

Twitcheil, Jerome, & Co.— Corrugated and 
Standing Seam Iron Roofing, Siding, Ceil- 
ing, Etc., and Building Material Generally 158 



P.XtiE. 

Union Investment Company 91 

Union National Bank 205 

Union Transfer Company 209 

U. S. Wind Engine and Pump Company . . . 157 

Van Brunt & Howe.— Architects 1(j8 

Vogel & Agnew.— Dealers in Hard and Soft 

Coal 206 

Volker, William, & Co. — Manufacturers, Im- 
porters and Jobbers of Mouldings, Picture 

Frames, Etc 210 

"Wabash School Furniture Companv.— ^lanu- 
facturers of School, Church and Office Fur- 
niture 216 

Waddell, C. W.— Real Estate 109 

Waddell, J. A. L.— ConsultinglEngineer . . . 216 
Walker, J. A.— Real Estate, Investment and 

Rental Agency 203 

Walmsley, E. A.— Tailor 212 

Walruff Brewing Company, The — Brewers 

and Bottlers 206 

Webb, George T., Woodenware Company.— 
Wooden and Willowware, Cordage, Twines. 
Paper, Paper Bags, Broom?, Brushes and 

Notions 118 

Weil, Max. — Proprietor Model Clothing 

House 142 

Weis & Ridge.— Hardware, Stoves and Tin- 
ware, Cutlery and Tools, Galvanized Iron 

Cornices, Roofing, Etc 119 

Welden, J. T.— Undertaker, Funeral Director, 

Furnisher and Embalmer 119 

Werk, E. — Real Estate, Loans and Securities . 210 
Western Flour Company.— Flour, Meal and 

Mill-Stuff 218 

Western Pump Comp<iny.— Manufacturers of 

the Western Wind Mills 217 

Western Railway Supply Company 204 

Western Sash and Door Company.— Whole- 
sale Dealers in Sash, Doors, Blinds, Mould- 
ings, Etc 219 

Weston, William.— Manufacturers' Agent for 

Cement, Lime, Etc 232 

White, G. M.— Wholesale Wall Paper, Window 
Shades, Room Mouldings, Weather Strips, 
Brushes, Paints, Varnishes, Glass, Etc . . . 235 
White & Rial.— Live Stock Commission Mer- 
chants ... 112 

Whiteside & Jarvis —Real Estate, Loan and 

Bond Brokers 218 

Whiting & Johnson.— Merchant Tailors . . . 206 
Whitman & Barnes Manufacturing Co., The— 
Manufacturers of Mower, Reaper and Har- 
vester Knives, Sickles, Sections, Guards. 
Spring Keys, Colters, Agricultural Supplies 

and Specialties 204 

Wimbush & Powell.— Real Estate Brokers . . 219 
Winningham, Theodore, & Co.— Investors of 
Capital, Real Estate Brokers and Money 

Loanert! 205 

Wise & Hastings.— Civil Engineers 215 

Wittich & Penfield— Wholesale Paper. . . 208 
Wood Brothers —Wholesale and Retail Deal- 
ers in Coal and Ice 214 

Wood, Walter A., Mowing and Reaping Ma- 
chine Company 217 

Wurmser, A. C, & Co.— Furniture. Carpets. 
Stoves, Mirrors and General HousehoM 

Goods 110 

Young, James A.— Wholesale Dealer in Flour 

and Feed of All Kinds 217 

Young, James G. — Attorney and Counselor- 
at-l aw ; Examiner of 'Titles, Notary Put.lic. 
Solicitor of Patents, and United States 

Claim Agent 209 

Young, W H.— Real Estate Agent 215 

Zahner & Battell Manufacturing Company, 
The.— Mann facturers of Galvanized Iron 
Cornices, Metallic Sky Lights, Etc 117 



Thk Industries op Kansas City. 



241 



ADVERTISERS' INDEX. 



PAGE. 

Altman, F. G.— Fine Diamonds, Watches, 

Jewelry, Etc 247 

Badger Lumber Co. — White and Yellow Pine, 

Doors, Windows, Lime, Hair, Etc ... . 246 
Booth, A , Packing Co. — Packers of Oysters, 

Fi«h and Canned Goods 245 

Calhoon, L. F.— National Horse and Mule 

Market 245 

Chapman, Dr. J. J 243 

Clifton House Barber Shop. — J. C. Garner, 

Proprietor 243 

Collier & Kelsey. — Manufacturers of Brooms, 

Brushes, Etc 245 

Cook. Mrs. Rose.— Dress Making and School 

of Industry ■ • 246 

Cyclone and Argentine Argus, Weekly . . . 242 

Dentists, The Real Painless 247 

Edingburg, Sam.— Practical Blacksmith and 

Horse Shoer 247 

Elstner, J. M. & Co.— Publishers 244 

Evans, Dr. E. V.— Dentist 247 

Flersheim, B. S., & Co.— Wholesale Liquor 

Dealers 243 

Fidelity Investment Company, The.— (see 

also p. 96.) In«ide Front Cover 

Glasner <fe Barzen. — Sole Agents for Dick 

Bros' Celebrated Lager and Export Beer . 243 
Gooch Freezer Co. — Manufacturers of Ice 

Cream Freezers 246 

Green, J. M— Carpet Weaver 243 

Higdon, .7. C— Mechanical Expert and So- 
licitor of Patents 241 

Howard, A. M.— Boot and Shoe Manufacturer 247 
Howard, ^eo. F.— House and Sign Painter . . 246 
Hunt, Dr. C. W.— Sole Proprietor of the Great 

Indian Remedies 241 



PAGE. 

Husted, James D. — Real Estate 

(Inside Front Cover 

Jackson, J. H. — Wood and Coal 246 

Lawless, Ed. — General Blacksmith and Wagon- 
maker 241 

Lochman & Fuller.— Manufacturers of the 

Household Treasure Patent Kitchen Tables 242 
Lynch & Black.— Real Estate and Exchange 

Brokers 243 

Marshman, Robert L. — Fire Insurance and 

Rental Agent 242 

Missouri Pacific Railway (Inside Back Cover) 

Moody, J. E. ,M. D 247 

Moore, Hal.— Boot and Shoe Manufacturer . . 246 

Morse, E. E.— Manufacturers' Agent 247 

Moidl.— The Tailor 245 

Newby Steel Range Company (see also p 236) 244 

Rice Tinware Company 247 

Sandwich Manufacturing Co.— Agricultural 

Machinery 242 

Scott, Dr. Samuel 241 

Shepard & Barndollar.— Brokers ; Real Estate 

and Investments 242 

Sherman, John.— Bootand Shoe Manufacturer 242 
Simmons, C— Blacksmith and Horse Shoer. . 245 

Spalding Business College 245 

Stephenson, William.— Wood and Coal Dealer 242 
Stewart & Bradley.- Climax Shaving Parlor . 243 

Taylor, Robert.— Shaving Parlor 243 

Travelers Insurance Company, The 248 

Union Pacific Railroad (Outside Back Cover) 

Van Brunt, Adriance— Architect 245 

"Wallaf^e, A. M —Wood and Coal 245 

AVhitmeyer, C. C— Lumber 242 



Dr. Samuel Scott, 

OFFICE: 
No. 910 State Line, " . ' . • 

. ■ . • KANSAS CITY, KAN. 



Makes a specialty of treating Rheu- 
matisni and N^euralgia. 



CORNS EXTRACTED WITHOUT PAIN. 

ED. LAWLESS, 

GENERAL 

Blacksmith and WagnnmakGrj 

West Bottoms, 1612 West 9th Street, 

Opposite Metropolitan Street Railway Engine House, 

KANSAS CITY, MO. 



Horse Shoeing a Specialty. 



DR. C. W. HUNT, 

Sole proprietor of 

The GREAT INDIAN REMEDIES 



FOR SALE A T MY OFFICE. 



Also Electrician Female treatment, St. 
Vitas DaJice, and Epileptic 
Fits a specialty. 
Office : 194 James St., 

KANSAS CITY. KAN. 



--PATENTS.- 



Book, containing instructions, references and 
sample copy of Patent sent free. Fine Mechanical 
Drawings made a specialty at our Kansas City 
Office. 

J. C. HIGDON, 

Mechanical Expert, Solicitor of Patents, 

Hooms 55 and 56 Jfall Building, opp. Post Office, 

KANSAS CITY, MO. 

Reliable Associate Attorney at Washington. 
Printed copy of any patent for 25 cents in stamps. 



24- 



The Industries of Kansas City. 



ROB'T L. MARSHMAN, 

Fire Insurance, 

AND RENTAL AGENT . 

COMPANIES REPRESENTED 
Milwaukee Mechanics, Milwaukee, Wis. 

Northwestern National, Milwaukee, Wis. 
Concordia Fire, Milwaukee, Wis. 
Firemen's, Dayton, Ohio. 

Oakland Home, Oakland, Cal. 
German Fire, Peoria, 111. 

451 Minnesota Avenue, 

KA.NSAS CITY, KAS. 

JOHN SHERMAN, 

Boot and Shoe 

MANUFACTURER, 

No. 1630 West 13th St., 

KANSAS CITY, MO. 



FINE WORK A SPECIALTY. 



Repairing neatly and promptly done. 



Sandwich -I- Manulacturing -I- Co. 

station "A" 
KANSAS CITY, MO. 



Power Corn Shellers, Hand Shellers, Horse 
Powers, Feed Grinders, Reliance Harvesters, 
Argentine Mowers. 



C. G. WHITMEYER, 

Telephone 470. 



1324: Oraud Ave., 



SUBSCRIBE FOR THE 

KANSAS WEEKLY CYCLONE, 

— A N D — 

ARGENTLNE ARGUS. 

Each having the largest circulation of all other 
weeklies published in Wyandotte County com- 
bined, ana the best equipped job offices in Kan- 
sas. Special attention paid to theatrical printing. 

iouis Mosenthal, Editor in Chief. 

Mark Cromwell, City Editor and Business M'g'r. 

Fred. B. Cobb, Sup't Job Department. 

Office, Fifth and James Streets. 

All job work promptly done and satisfaction 
guaiftnteed. 



J. V. Shkpard. 



F. Barndollab. 




SHEPARD & BARNDOLLAR, 
BROKERS, 

REAL ESTATE AND INVESTMENTS. 

Alamo Building, Room 403. 

Cor. Delaware and ytli Sts., 

Telephone 1765. KANSAS CITY, MO 

WILLIAM STEPHENSON, 

^1 Wand )|c and )|cCDab^nEaler,!f 

No. loi Geneseo Street, 
KANSAS CITY. 

8®" Free Delivery to Any Part of City. 




LOCHIMAN & FULLER, manufacturers of the 
Household Treasure, Patent Kitchen Tables, 
wholesale and retail. Dealers supplied. 1680 
Main street, Kansas City, Mo. Household Treas- 
>ire hronze medal awarded at the Mechanics 
Fair, San Francisco. 



The Industries of Kansas City. 



243 



DR. J, J. CHSPMM, 

No. 194 James St., 
.-. KANSAS CITY, KAN. .-. 

OFFICE HOURS 

From 9 to 12 A. M. :. :. :. :. 



From 2 to $ P. M. 



B. S. Fleksheim. Henry Oppenheimer. 

R S. FLERSHEIM & CO., 

- WholEsalG -I- Liquor -l-DEalBrs.- 

412 Delaware Street, 

Telephone No. 1125. 

KANSAS CITY, MO. 

J. Nl. GRKKN, 

CARPET .-WEMER, 

1043 Mulberr}^ Street. 



I make a specially of cleaning , repairing and put- 
ting down carpets, and gnarantr^e first class work. 



GLSSNER & BSRZEN, 

Cor. loth and Mulberry Streets, 
.• .• .• KANSAS CITY, MO. 

p. 0. Address "Station A." 



CLIFTDN HOUSE BARBER SHOP, 

J. C. GARNER, Proprietor. 

HOT AND COLD BATHS, 

BEST OF WORK. 
Your Patronage Solicited. 

No. 562 Wainut Street, 

3 Doors North of Sixth St., 

KANSAS CITY, MO. 

HARRY T. LYNCH. CHAS. A. BLACK. 

KENT W. BLACK. 

LYNCH & BLACK, 

REAIv ESTATE AND • • • 

EXCHANGE BROKERS, 

Room 400, Alamo Building, 

7TH AND DELAWARE, 

KANSAS CITY, MO. 

Telephone, 1765. 

BOB'S 

Shaving Parlor 

Walnut, bet. First & Second Sts., 
KANSAS CITY, MO. 



ROBERT TAYLOR, 



PROPRIETOR. 



Sole Agents for Dick Bros, celebrated L.Tg^er 
and Export Beer. 



Keep none but the best of Workmen. 
First-class Work Guaranteed. 

L. C. STEWART. L. H. BRADLEY. 

Climax Shaving Parlor 

Stewart and Bradley. Prop'rs. 

No. 921 Main Street, 

KANSAS CITY, MO. 



YOrR PATRONAGE SOLICITED. 



244 



The Industries of Kansas City. 



~-<^m/i, PUBLISHERS -z/z/^^^ 



The Industries of San Francisco, Cal 
The Industries of < Cincinnati. O. 
The Industries of St. Louis, Mo. (1885. ) 
The Industries of New Orleans. 
The Industries of Minneapolis, 3*Iinn. 
The Industries of St. Paul, Minn. 
The Tndustrie.s of Grand Rapids, Mich. 
The Industries of Atlanta. Ga. 
The Industries of Savannah, Ga. 
The Industries of Houston, Tex. 



The Industries of St. Louis, Mo. (1887 ) 
The Industries of Chattanooga, Tenn. 
The Industries of Detroit, Mich. 
The Industries of Montgomery, Ala 
The Industries of Dubuque, la. 
The Industries of the Saginaws, Mich. 
The Industries of Kansas City, Mo. 
The Centennial Review of Cincinnati. (In Pre- 
paration.) 



611 Nelson Building. KANSAS CITY, MO. 



The Industries op Kansas City 



U5 



C. SIMMONS, 

Blacksmith and Hnrse BhoGr, 

33 Kansas Avenue, 
KANSAvS CITY, KAN. 



Makes a specialty of repairing: wagons, bus 
ries, etc. All work ornaranleed. 



L. K. CAIvHOON, 

Successor to Bu/tner A- Ho-j-jelle. 

NATIONAL HORSE AND MULE 



Iforses and Mules sold on C mimlssion, also Livery 
and Feed Stables cumbined. 



Nos. 413 and 415 Wyandotte St., 
■ KANSAS CITY. 

Telephone 1012. Correspondence solicited. 



A. Booth Packing Co. 

— PACKERS OF — 

Oysters, Fish, 

— AND — 

Canned Goods, 

KANSAS CITY, MO. 

A M.WALLACE, 

Retail Dealer in 

¥00D I SND * COHL, 

No. 80 r E. 5th St., • • • • 

• • • KANSAS CITY, KAN. 



COMMERCIAL BLOCK, Cor. llth and Main Streets, 

Established October 23, 18G5—Incori)oriitc(l July 11,^867. 
All English and Commercial Branches, Phoiiogra. 
phy, Type-Writing, etc. laugnt at lowest rates. 
Unsurpassed Advantages. No Vacations. Cata- 
logues Free. fiST'Be sure to visit or address this 
College before going elsewhere. 

DA)' AND NIGHT SCHOOL. 



ADRIMCE VAN BRUNT, A, I, A,, 

No. 200 West Sixth Street, 
KANSAS CITY, MO. 

COLLIER & KELSEY, 

Manufacturers of 

BROOMS.tBRUSHES.oETC. 

Wholesale Dealers in 

Broom Corn and Broom Supplies, 
No. 1863 Wyoming St., 

Telephone 1S07. KANSAS CITY, MO. 

MOIDLTHETMILOR . 

1806 Si-xTH Street, 

4 Doors West of .State Line 

OLD KANSAS CITY, KAS. 



Carries ike Largest Stoek, Gives 

the Best Fit, and Employs 

Only Union Tailors. 



All orders tilled promptly and DELI\'EUED 
FREE to any part of city. 



SUITS TO ORDER FROM $20. UP. 

linpo-ted Goods A Specialty. 



246 



The Industries op Kansas City. 



- BADGER LUMBER CO., - 

White and Yellow Piqe, Doors, Wiqdows, Linqe, Hair, &c. 
FtUl Line of Building Material of Best G^-ades and at Lowest Prices. 

Come and see us at Corner Ninth Street and Broadway, 
KANSAS CITY, MO. 



TpE>^GDDCHicPATENT)|dCE)!c CREAM )^FREEZERS, 




For Sale by the Leadinq Kanms City Hardware and 
Queensware Trade. 



These Freezers are entirely 
different from anj' other make 
in the market. By their simpli- 
cit}- of constwi6tion and perfedl 
adaptability to the process of 
making all kinds of Ice Cream, 
Sherbets, Frozen Fruits, etc., 
they have taken the front rank 
in the market and are univers- 
ally acknowledged THE BEST 
FREEZERS MADE. 

Dealers are constantly tak- 
ing up the sale of them, and 
are discarding inferior Freezers 
heretofore thought good ones. 
Our increase of sales has been 
Nine Hundred per cent. 
SINCE 1879, thus showing their 
great popularity. 

The " Peerless " are made 
3-quart to lo-quart for family 
use ; the " Giant," with fly- 
wheel, 14-quart to 42-quart for 
confedlioners and hotels. 



THE GOOCH FREEZER CO., Cincinnati, O. 



GEO. F. HOWARD, 
HOUSE AND SIGN PAINTER, 

1304^ Main Street. 
kalsomining & paper hanging 

A SPECIALTY. 

FIRST CLASS AVORK GUARANTEED 

->iDrE55 Making and School nt Industry.j^^ 

No. 181 James St., 
•.• KANSAS CITY, KAN. .-. 



Mrs. Rose Cook, 



Proprietress. 



Ladies' Dresses cut and made withcut trying 
on. A perfect fit or no pay. Tailor systt-ni of 
Dress Cutting- tauarht. Make a specialty of Dyeing 
and Cleaning Ladies' and Gents' clothes. Crochet 
work, Embroidery, Stamping, Hair Je'welry and 
Flowers, Switches, Wigs, Waves and Hair 
Monuments made to order. 



HAL. ]V[OORE, 

BDDT Ap SpnE PNUFACTU^EI^, 

1 2 16 west 9TH STREET, 

KANSAS CITY, MO. 

^11 Work Guaranteed. Repairing a Specialty. 

J. H. JACKSON, 

WHOLESALE AXD RETAIL DEALER IX 

Coal and Wood, 

Anthracite, Farmers' Lescington 
and Screened Nut Coal. 

Office, Cor. 6tli and State Line Sts., 

KANSAS CITY, KAS. 

All orders promptly filled and delivered free 
to any part of the city. 



Thej Industries op Kansas City. 



247 



F. G. Altman, 



•.• .-. FINE .-. ■.■ 

DIAMONDS, WATCHES, JEWELRY, ETC., 

No. 725 Main St., - KANSAS CITY, MO. 

THE 

^IREAL PAINLESS DENTISTS, K- 

Teeth Extracted without Pain or Danger. 

OVR PAINLESS SYSTEM IS USED BY US ONLY. 
Teeth Filled. Operations Guaranteed. 

Best Sets of Teeth. • 



Lowest Prices. 

Perfent Fit Warranted. 

ESTABLISHED 1880. 

Look for No. 725 Main Street, 
KANSAS CITY, MO. 




RICE TINWARE COMPANY, 

IIP West Third Street , 
KANSAS CITY, MO. 



Telephone 922. 

E. E. MORSE, 

74 Sheidle}' Building, 

Manufacturer's Agent, 
Jefferson Nu t Lock. 

Flexible Wire Mat Co. 

Entire Wheat Flour. 

SSM. EDINGBURG, 

PRACTICAL 

Blacksmith and parse ShoEr, 

Third Street and Oakland Avenue, 
KANSAS CITY, KAN. 



Horse Shoeing a Specialty. 



Dr. E.V.EVANS, 

- - £ENTIST\ - - 

Office, Saint Louis Avenue, between 
Mulberry and Hickory Streets. 

A. M. HniarARi], 

Boot and Shoe 

MANUFACTURER . 

No. 241 James Street, 

BOOTS AND SHOES MADE TO ORDER. 



Repairing a Specialty. 



Dr. J. E. MOODY. 
460 Congress Street, 

KANSAS CITY, KAS. 

- - OFFICE HOURS: - - 
9 to 12 A. M. 2 to 4 P. M. 



248 



The Industries of Kansas City. 



THE TRAVELERS 



0:5 

' I— H 

CD 



O 

• i-H 

o 
o 



O 




>-^ 

QTQ 
CD 

J— t- 

CO 



o 

CD 
CD 



CD 



O 



MR. BE CAREFUL." ::::::: GOT THERE FINALLY. 
It has Issued over 1,400,000 Accident Policies. 

It Issues Accident Policies for $10,000, 



(^rTSrXl^Or 



$i0,600^in event of death. 
10,000'for loss of two eyes. 
lOjOOOafor loss of two feet. 
10,000 for loss of two hands. 



$IO,OOOfor lossof one hand and one foot. 

3 333.33 for loss of one foot. 

3,333.33 for loss of one Hand. 
$50.00 per week for disabling injury. 



Proportionate Benefits for Policies of any Amount. 



BTJ"2" TSSE BEST, IT IS THE CHE^5^EEST. 
Take out insurance in " The Travelers " with CHAS. E. HOCHSTETLEE, Agent 
for Kansas City, and State Agent for Kansas. 

Rooms 17 and i8 Underivritcrs'' Exchange. 

Telephone No. 960. KANSAS CITY, MO. 

After April 1st, Rooms 17 and 18, New England Building. 




OpyTopllEBLO.COL. 

Tt<E, Pittsburg orTHE.WE.sT. 



WITH . A r* a ., 



'^° Kansas City. 



"Kenderson _ 

' aAcHERT 

tboeraphin^ (^ 

' cTncinnati 



4itb 



\^ 



I 



